“The intent of the RH
Bill is to uphold the Constitution and in no way tolerate or allow
abortion to come in through the back road or behind the scene,”
stressed Cayetano, principal sponsor of Senate Bill No.2865, or the
proposed ‘National Reproductive Health Act of 2011.’
One provision that has
been questioned by RH Bill opponents is Section 3, the measure’s
‘Guiding Principles for Implementation,’ particularly paragraphs (i)
and (j), which read:
“Section 3, (i) While
this Act does not amend the penal law on abortion, the government
shall ensure that all women needing care for post-abortion
complications shall be treated and counseled in a humane,
non-judgmental and compassionate manner.
“Section 3, (j) Each
family shall have the right to determine its ideal family size,
Provided, however, That the State shall equip each parent with the
necessary information to all aspects of family life, including
reproductive health, in order to make that determination.”
Concerns about these
provisions were articulated on the Senate floor by Majority Leader
Senator Vicente Sotto III at the continuation of the chamber’s plenary
debates on SBN 2865 last week. After raising issues on the alleged
‘sinister motives’ of non-government organizations (NGOs) in
supporting the RH Bill, Sotto also warned how these groups could take
advantage of supposed ‘openings’ in these provisions to push for
legalized abortion.
“To me, they are
pushing for this bill because they will inculcate in us that certain
means of abortion are medically safe procedures, feasible, and will
eventually be considered legal. Parang ganoon po ang dating. Ang
kinakabahan po ako, mayroon po tayong bukas na mga pintuan doon sa
ating RH bill na version,” Sotto said.
Interpreting Section
3, paragraphs (i) and (j), he asked: “Now, Mr. President, if enacted
into law, will this mean that if a certain family wants only two
children but the mother will become pregnant, the State shall equip
that parent with the means to abort the child?”
To which Cayetano
replied: “There is nothing here [in paragraph (j)] that says abortion
will be given as an option to a family. That is absurd, that is not a
logical conclusion.”
“Mr. President, I have
to say I think the answer is obvious. We [sponsors] made it very clear
that it is not. So let us not read into the bill what is not in the
bill. I have made it very clear in the sponsorship speech in the
provision that preceded this section [Sec.3, paragraph (i)], it is
very clear. So let us not read into the bill what is not in the bill.”
Cayetano then
proceeded to explain SBN 2865’s provision mandating medical care to
women suffering from post-abortion complications [Sec.3, paragraph
(j)]. She drew a parallel situation: When in a shootout, a pursuing
cop who shoots and hurts an escaping criminal would still be
duty-bound to bring the latter to a medical facility to receive
emergency care in order to save his life, or the cop would face
possible charges himself.
“In fact, if a police
officer or a medical officer treated [the criminal] inhumanely, they
would be called upon for their inhumane and unethical conduct,” she
emphasized.
Relating her analogy
to several documented reports where women with post-abortion
complications had been denied of emergency medical care in certain
hospitals, she continued: “It shocks me that there are people who
believe that women who have gone through an abortion need to be
treated like criminals because they have committed an act which is
defined as a crime in our country.”
“In fact in many
hospitals they are treated badly, they are pushed around to the side.
In fact, some of them will bleed to death because they will not even
be attended to, to punish them for that crime. And I will fight for
the right of this woman to have the care that she needs because the
emotional, psychological trauma that goes through to have an abortion
is something that we, who have not been through an abortion, can never
understand and she deserves that from the State.”
On this point, Sotto
agreed: “Yes, Mr. President, I do agree. As a matter of fact, I will
be by the Sponsor’s side in defending that woman.”
To which Cayetano
replied: “Then we have no problem.”
Rounding up her
clarifications on the two provisions raised by the Majority Leader,
Cayetano reiterated that she and SBN 2865 principal author Sen. Miriam
Defensor-Santiago were open to amendments from other senators to
further strengthen the bill at the proper time.
“Mr. President, before
we proceed, may I just put on record that we do appreciate the
provisions that the Majority leader pointed out which may possibly be
misinterpreted. We would like to put on record that I personally, as
the Sponsor of the bill, believe that it is part of the legislative
process that these provisions which our colleagues feel may be lacking
in strength or clarity be strengthened.
“So at the proper time
we will be more than happy to accept the amendments by the Majority
Floor Leader or any other of our colleagues to strengthen the bill,
which they believe may be subject to misinterpretation. Thank you,”
she concluded.
Government steps up
maritime security operations, establishes National Coast Watch System
Press Release
September
11, 2011
MALACAÑANG –
President Benigno S. Aquino III has expanded the country’s naval
security operations to preserve the Philippine territory and protect
its people and resources from maritime threats.
Executive Secretary
Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on Sunday that the President signed on
September 6 Executive Order No. 57, which called for the creation of
the National Coast Watch System (NCWS), an initiative of the
Department of National Defense (DND) and the Armed Forces of the
Philippines (AFP).
According to Ochoa,
who also chairs the Cabinet Security Cluster, the NCWS will serve as
the central inter-agency mechanism for a more coordinated approach on
maritime issues and maritime security operations to enhance governance
of the country’s maritime domain.
EO 57 expanded the
scope of the Coast Watch South, primarily tasked to provide maritime
security operations in Southern Philippines, to cover the entire
archipelago. The presidential issuance also effectively abolished the
Commission on Maritime and Ocean Affairs (CMOA) created by virtue of
EO No. 612 issued in 2007.
“In issuing EO 57, the
President emphasizes the government’s firm commitment to prioritize
maritime security in the country, especially in the face of maritime
challenges and threats such as terrorism, transnational crimes, drug
and firearms trafficking, smuggling, human trafficking, climate
change, illegal fishing, marine environment degradation and other
security concerns,” Ochoa pointed out.
The new EO harmonizes
the policies, programs and activities on intelligence work, border
control, interdiction and law enforcement of several government
agencies such as the Philippine Navy, the Philippine Coast Guard and
the Philippine National Police-Maritime Group, among others, for
better maritime governance, Ochoa added.
Under EO 57, the
National Coast Watch Council (NCWC) shall be established and chaired
by the Executive Secretary, with the secretaries of the DND and the
Departments of Transportation and Communications (DoTC), Foreign
Affairs (DFA), the Interior and Local Government (DILG), Justice (DoJ),
Energy (DoE), Finance (DoF), Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
and Agriculture (DA) as members.
As the central
inter-agency body, the NCWC will be in charge of formulating strategic
direction and policy guidance for the NCWS, specifically on maritime
security operations and multinational and cross-border cooperation on
maritime security. The Council will also take over the mandate and
functions of the CMOA.
The President directed
the council to conduct periodic reviews of maritime security
operations and submit periodic reports to the President and the
National Security Council (NSC), and recommend policies and procedures
in managing and securing the country’s maritime domain.
The chairperson is
mandated to convene the NCWC at least twice a year or as often as
deemed necessary and appropriate.
Technical and
administrative assistance and support, including consultative research
and administrative services, will be provided by the Coast Watch
Council Secretariat, which will be headed by an Executive Director to
be appointed by the NCWC head upon the recommendation of the council.
A National Coast Watch
Center, headed by the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG), shall also be
established under EO 57 to implement and coordinate maritime security
operations in accordance with the strategic direction and policy
guidance to be issued by the council.
Manpower, equipment
and material support to the National Coast Watch Center shall be
provided by the PCG, the Philippine Navy, the Philippine National
Police-Maritime Group, National Prosecution Service of the DoJ, Bureau
of Customs, Bureau of Immigration, National Bureau of Investigation,
Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, and the Philippine Center
on Transnational Crime.
The initial funding of
P20 million for the NCWS will come from the Special Account in the
General Fund of the DoE, and thereafter be incorporated in the General
Appropriations Act for funding.
EO 57, however, allows
the council and the center to accept donations, contributions or
grants from domestic or foreign sources subject to government
accounting and auditing rules and regulations.
Initially, the council
is directed to submit within 90 days from the issuance of EO 57 a
report to the President on the implementation of the directive.
Convergence caravan
took Llorente folks by storm
By NINFA B QUIRANTE, PIA Borongan
September
10, 2011
BORONGAN CITY, Eastern
Samar – The convergence caravan brought by the Department of Social
Welfare and Development (DSWD) stormed Llorente town on
September 9, 2011.
Although Mayor Tito
Codoy admitted he was surprised that he has to prepare many things for
the visitors, he was equally elated that his 3rd class municipality
was chosen for the project.
As early as seven in
the morning of Friday, the menfolk of upstream barangays started
milling aroung asking for the different services being offered by the
activity.
Even if the DSWD top
notch officials were still travelling to this coastal town, services
like medical check up with free medicines, TESDA skills
demonstrations, Avon pangkabuhayan showcase, advance payment for Cash
for training/work, and Self Employment Assistance-Kaunlaran (SEA-K)
products sale and display and supplemental feeding for day care
children were already taking place.
As the guests poured
into the spacious Llorente Sports Complex, the program started where
DSWD Regional Director Letecia Diokno said that they wanted to inform
the public that the “three big projects” of DSWD have landed in town
and several Lanangnons (people from Llorente) are enjoying the fruits
of SEA-K, KALAHI-CIDSS, and Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps).
Similarly, Director Ed
Gonzaga of the health department told the audience that PhilHealth is
nearing the complete enrolment of indigents in
Eastern Samar.
“Conditional Cash
Transfer (aka 4Ps) are enrolled in PhilHealth,” Gonzaga said.
This was confirmed by
Mayor Codoy. “With 4Ps, less people ask for medicines from the LGU,”
the mayor beamed.
As to the nutrition
corner, Dina Dilao of the nutrition council made the mayors present
happy when she announced that most Eastern Samar towns have registered
a decline in malnutrition by half.
She mentioned
specifically the towns of Llorente and Gen Macarthur, both mayors were
present, Codoy the host mayor and Mayor Jaime Ty of Gen MacArthur.
Dilao punctuated her
presentation by urging the barangay chairmen to provide weighing
scales to their Barangay Nutrition Scholars.
The activity ended
with testimonials from a teacher, health worker and a barangay
chairman the improvement in the lives of the 4Ps beneficiaries.
Usec Mateo Montano in
his message urged the beneficiaries of the program to value the
government assistance. He also assured them of the continuous
assistance from the Aquino government.
“Of the 2012 national
budget, P34 B is allotted to 4Ps, and further we will increase the
coverage up to 3 million Filipinos,” Montano said amidst the applause
of Lanangnons. He urged the 4Ps beneficiaries to utilize the fund for
its intended purpose.
Status of 4Ps
implementation discussed in Provincial Committee Meeting
By
Provincial
Media Relations Center
September 9, 2011
TACLOBAN CITY – Over
P128 million in conditional cash grant was disbursed to beneficiaries
of the Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program (4Ps) in Leyte for
January-December 2010; while at least P7 million have already been
released to indigent families in the province for the period of
January-April 2011.
In the recent 4Ps
Provincial Committee Meeting attended by Department of Social Welfare
and Development (DSWD-8) Regional Director Letecia C. Diokno and Leyte
Governor Carlos Jericho Petilla, the Leyte 4Ps team reported the
status of releases for the conditional cash grant in the province of Leyte.
The province tallies a
total of 66,692 registered beneficiaries from various municipalities
all over Leyte.
The recent meeting
also discussed were the updates on the implementation of the program,
most important of which was the report on the improved database system
for 4Ps being conducted by the DSWD in Eastern Visayas.
The DSWD reports over
8,000 beneficiaries have been de-listed from about 168,000 families
identified under the program. The delisting of about 8,000 families
undertaken by the regional welfare agency covered 2009, the year the
program was implemented in the region up to the month of August, this
year.
Foremost in the reason
for de-listing was that the beneficiaries do not anymore have children
below 14 years old; while others have been delisted for non-compliance
of the requirements imposed to remain within the program.
Dir. Diokno disclosed
that while the program has gained an impact in the aspect of poor
families sending their children to school there were some families who
were not complying with the conditions which caused their being
stricken off from the list of beneficiaries.
Gov. Petilla has
earlier urged the DSWD to revalidate their list of indigent recipients
as common complaints reaching his office or during his regular
barangay visits are that some of them have a steady source of income,
some have regular jobs while some are even serving as barangay
officials.
“The government is
spending a lot for 4Ps thus we would like to make sure that the
recipients of the cash grants are really those indigent ones and
deserve to be placed under such social pension,” Gov. Petilla said.
4Ps is under the
auspices of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD)
where qualified beneficiaries are families who need to comply with
conditions set by the welfare department otherwise non-compliance will
result to de-listing of the program’s beneficiaries.
Included in the
conditions which need to be strictly complied include sending the
children to school or visiting health centers. Qualified beneficiaries
receive P6,000 a year or P500 per month per household for health and
nutrition expenses and P3,000 for one school year or 10 months or P300
per month per child for educational expenses.
Militarizing Leyte can
never promote development, peace, says BAYAN EV
Press Release
By BAYAN-EV
September 8, 2011
TACLOBAN CITY –
“Whose interests do they protect from militarizing
Leyte?” asks Flor ‘Ka Pong’ Acbo, Chairperson of Bagong Alyansang
Makabayan (Bayan)-Eastern Visayas, after the Leyte Provincial Peace and Order Council (RPOC)
renewed their vow to crush insurgency to “counter terroristic threats
and secure economic interests.”
Bayan Eastern Visayas
slammed the PPOC’s twisted logic to promote development and win the
peace in Leyte. “The PPOC’s line of reasoning follows the incorrigible
propaganda of the present Aquino government to eradicate insurgency by
‘winning the peace and development’ thru intensified civil and
military operations,” says Acbo.
Army Colonel John
Bunapos, Commanding Officer of the 802nd Brigade based in Ormoc City,
Leyte declared during the PPOC conference yesterday that it has
boosted the military presence spread across the province. The 78th
Infantry Battalion and the 4th Special Forces were recently deployed
to assist the counter-insurgency operations initiated by the 19th
Infantry Battalion based in
Kananga,
Leyte.
Acbo said that
“boosted military presence has in fact revived Oplan Bantay Laya’s
fascist and militarist approach to crush insurgency. It can even
surpass the gravity of violations committed under the previous Arroyo
government which has already been observed and documented in several
municipalities of Leyte including the rape case in Tunga town.”
Bayan particularly
condemned the continuing pronouncement made during the PPOC conference
against legal organizations when Bunapos mentioned one peasant
organization to be front of the New People’s Army. “Bunapos has
actually confirmed the suspicion that the military was indeed the
anonymous entity behind the death notes sent last August
25 to three officials of the Municipal Farmers Association of Carigara (MUFAC).”
In his statement,
Bunapos cited MUFAC in Carigara as one reason why NPAs in
Leyte continue to exist after it was declared insurgency-free
previously. Bayan, on the other hand, criticized his malicious
statement against MUFAC’s program to build communal gardens as
immediate source of food for them.
“Bunapos’ folly was
showing when he said that these communal gardens are activities of the
NPA therefore it follows that MUFAC members are NPAs. The twisted
logic of the AFP puts the life and economic interests of these
peasants in complete jeopardy.”
In sharp admonition
of the Army Colonel’s statement, Bayan averred that this kind of
activity by peasant organizations are exposing the “sheer government
neglect” to the people that is why they are embarking on alternative
ways and sources of food. In the same light, “The Aquino government’s
Oplan Bayanihan program remains nothing less but a “grand
psychological warfare with no interest of alleviating the people’s
poverty. In actual terms, Oplan Bayanihan is currently in a frenzy to
jeopardize the livelihood and peaceful living of the people.” In
ending, Acbo has called on the people to renew the fight against Oplan
Bayanihan.
PRO8 neutralizes 5
wanted persons
By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
September
9, 2011
CAMP RUPERTO K
KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – PCSupt Arnold Rayala Revilla, Regional
Director PRO8 ordered all policemen in Eastern Visayas to continue
their intensified campaign against all forms of criminality to ensure
the safety of the general public. Furthermore, he assured the public
that the PNP is maintaining the safety of the people especially during
“ber” months. In fact PRO8 have deployed uniformed policemen in vital
installations in Region 8, like in the terminal areas, airports,
seaports and mall and they will remain in their posts until after the
holidays.
At about 7:00 AM of
September 7, 2011 elements of Daram Police Station led by PCI Antonio
A Cruda arrested Rudy Arsenal, 54 yrs old, farmer and Jimmy Pestolante,
of legal age, farmer and both residents of Poblacion 2, Daram, Samar
by virtue of Warrant of Arrest issued by Hon Sibanah E Usman,
Presiding Judge of Branch 28, Bulwagan ng Katarungan, Catbalogan City,
Samar dated September 2, 2011. Subject persons were charged for the
crime of qualified theft docketed under CC number 8028 with
recommended bail of P24,000. Arrested persons were brought to Daram
Police Station for proper disposition prior turn-over to the court of
origin.
At about 8:30 PM of
September 6, 2011 in Brgy 10, Dolores, Eastern Samar elements of
Dolores, Eastern Samar elements of Dolores Police Station led by PI
Jerome B Camacho, chief of police, arrested Fernando Nuguit, 42 yrs
old, married and a resident of aforementioned place by virtue of WOA
issued by Hon Celso F Lorenzo, Presiding Judge of RTC Branch 4,
Dolores, Eastern Samar. Subject person was charged for the crime of
murder docketed under CC number 311. Arrested person was brought to
Dolores Police Station for proper disposition prior turn-over to the
court of origin.
At about 8:05 PM of
September 5, 2011 in Brgy Abango, Barugo, Leyte elements of Barugo
Police Station led by SPO2 Demosthenes Avestros arrested Ramon Ilaya
and Ramie Ilaya, both of legal ages and residents of aforementioned
place by virtue of WOA issued by Hon. Buenaventura A Renomeron,
Presiding Judge of MTC, Barugo, Leyte. Subject persons were charged
for the crime of attempted homicide docketed under CC number
M-BAR-2011-017-CR with recommended bail of P12,000. Arrested persons
were brought to Barugo Police Station for proper disposition prior
turn-over to the court of origin.
Army chief Ortiz
visits 8ID units
By CMO Battalion, 8ID PA
September
8, 2011
CAMP LUKBAN,
Catbalogan, Samar – The Commanding General of the Philippine Army,
Lieutenant General Arturo B. Ortiz AFP arrived last Friday for a
three-day field visit of 8th Infantry (Stormtroopers) Division units.
This field visit of the Division is the second one so far for the year
2011.
Field visits of major
service commanders like the CGPA is usually performed to check not
only on the morale and welfare of the troops but also to size up their
capability of carrying out the Army’s mission. In these visits, it is
common for Commanders to tag along staff assistants who represent the
various functions of the Army in order to readily address specific
troop concerns.
Being the host
commander in the region, MGen Mario F Chan AFP, the 8ID Commander,
briefed LtGen Ortiz of updates in his Division’s support to “winning
the peace” in Eastern Visayas. In acknowledgement of the
accomplishments, the CGPA recognized outstanding personnel and units
in the visited sites.
The CGPA’s visit of
Eastern Visayas has always been special. It was in this region
particularly in Leyte Island that Lieutenant General Ortiz could
recall fond memories of his early years in the Army. Each time he
comes for a visit, he never fails to meet the families who once hosted
him as a young officer.
PRO8 operatives
arrested violators of RA 8294
By RPCRD, Police Regional Office 8
September
8, 2011
CAMP RUPERTO K
KANGLEON, Palo, Leyte – Suspects who were recently apprehended for
violating RA 8294 were now temporarily detained in Borongan lock-up
cell for further investigation and subsequent filing of charges in
court for violation of PD 1866 as amended by RA8294 (Illegal
Possession of Firearm, Ammunition, and explosives) after being found
in their possession numerous assorted firearms and ammunition
according to PSSupt Elizar Patano Egloso, PRO8 Spokesperson.
He said that at about
11:27 AM of September 6, 2011 in Brgy Bato, Borongan City, joint
elements of ESPPO, ESPPSC, Borongan CPS, PCIDG and Tacloban CPS led by
PSSupt Manuel Enage Cubillo, Provincial Director apprehended five (5)
persons with short FAs (fire arms) on board a Nissan Safari and Hyundai Starex
van.
Initial investigation
disclosed that said persons were passing at the established checkpoint
at the said place when flag downed by the PNP elements and accosted
for carrying FAs during visual search. The suspects presented
questionable documents and one suspect has no authorization to his
alleged license FA prompting the law enforcers to arrest them. Said
apprehend persons were as follows: Jose Paolo Raymund Arriera, 30 yrs
old, single and Julius Macabontoc, 27 yrs old, married and both
residents of Laloma, Quezon City on board the Nisan Safari Wagon black
in color bearing plate number TKJ-989, and Rodmanric Relenas, 34 yrs
old and resident of Bagong Ilog, Pasig City, Danilo Blanque Jr, 38 yrs
old and Novo Ian Gabriel, 31 yrs old and both resident of Laloma,
Quezon City on board the Hyundai Starex Van silver in color bearing
plate number WFF-394.
Confiscated from their
possessions were as follows: 1 taurus, cal 40 with 1 mag and 14 ammos;
1 Taurus, cal 45 with 2 mags and 21 ammos; 1 glock, cal 40 with 5 mags
and 90 ammos; 1 millenium Taurus, cal 45 with 2 mags and 20 ammos; 4
pcs bullet proof vest; 5 units cellular phones; 2 long bladed weapons
with scabbard; 1 pc black jacket with “pulis” markings; 1 pc baseball
bat; beltbags and other personal belongings. Said apprehended persons
and confiscated items were brought to Eastern Samar Police Provincial
Office (ESPPO) for safekeeping, documentation and for further
investigation. Appropriate criminal charges are now being prepared
for filing in court against the suspects.
Another incident that
transpired at about 8:20 PM of September 5, 2011 elements of
8RPSB-Javier Patrol Base received a complaint of theft incident from
one Glecerio Retucsan, of Poblacion, Zone 1, Javier, Leyte that a
group of persons are stealing fishes from the fishpond located at his
backyard. Joint elements of 8RPSB led by PI Antonio Angcay and Javier
PS led by PI Jimmy Boy Balasanos, chief of police, proceeded to the
area an while on their way they saw one Wilson Cumla alias Sonny and a
resident of aforementioned place carrying a KRIEGESKCRTE and CO.
STUTTGART caliber 22 light rifle bearing serial number 252922.
Suspect managed to escape leaving behind said rifle upon sensing the
arrival of PNP personnel. Recovered firearm is now under the custody
of 8RPSB-Javier Patrol base.
Army and media
foundation to build school building in Eastern Samar
By CMO Battalion, 8ID PA
September
7, 2011
CAMP LUKBAN,
Catbalogan City – A ground breaking ceremony for a two-classroom
school building project was held yesterday morning at Brgy Calingatnan,
Borongan, Eastern Samar. The project has become possible through the
combined efforts of ABS-CBN “Sagip Kapamilya” Foundation, the
Provincial Government of Eastern Samar, the 801st Infantry Brigade and
the 546 Engineer Construction Battalion, and the City Government of
Borongan. The project is dubbed “Gusto Kong Mag-aral” by the ABS-CBN
Foundation.
Of all the barangays
in Borongan City, Brgy Calingatnan was chosen for its ideal location
in accordance with construction standards. The ceremony was attended
by Honorable Maria Fe Abunda, the City Mayor of Borongan, Eastern
Samar; Colonel Romeo Labador, the Commander of 801st Infantry Brigade;
Brigadier General Mariano Veloria of the 53rd Engineering Brigade; and
representatives from other agencies in the Province.
It is worthy to
note that a lot of help is coming to Samar Island which is rated as
one of the poorest in Eastern Visayas. The combined effort of private
organizations, local government agencies, and the 8th Infantry
Division is making this assistance possible.
DENR-EMB, Smart bare
national finalists for the 2011 National Search for Sustainable and
Eco-Friendly Schools
Press Release
September
6, 2011
A total of 45 public
and private schools have entered the finals of the 2011 National
Search for Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Schools, organized by the
Department of Environment and Natural Resources – Environmental
Management Bureau (DENR-EMB), Department of Education (DepEd),
Commission on Higher Education (CHED) and Smart Communications, Inc.
(Smart).
Fourteen elementary
schools, 16 high schools and 15 colleges made it through the regional
eliminations and will now compete in their respective categories at
the national Level. Winners will be announced during the
exhibition-cum-awarding ceremony that will be held on November 16,
2011 as part of the National Environmental Awareness Month.
Environment and
Natural Resources Secretary Ramon J. P. Paje said the schools’
response to the call for entries was “overwhelming”. Now on its second
run, the nationwide competition aims to recognize educational
institutions from the elementary, high school and tertiary levels with
the best sustainable and environment-friendly programs and activities.
“We were amazed by
their creativity and their commitment in implementing eco-friendly
practices,” he said.
“We need to start
teaching our kids as early as we can to take responsibility in
safeguarding our environment. Schools are dynamic focal points of
learning and powerful vehicles of change. Parents and teachers can
work together to spread the wonders of living an environmentally-smart
lifestyle,” he added.
Smart joins the
activity for the second year as part of its corporate social
responsibility and community service program Kabalikat.
“Smart has been taking
measures to practice environmental sustainability in our day-to-day
operations and promote ecological awareness and preservation to our
publics. We encourage the youth to do the same and we know we can do
this by working through their schools,” said Ramon Isberto, Smart
Public Affairs Head.
“We are hoping that
this search will inspire more schools to go green and will influence
participants to adopt an environmentally-friendly lifestyle from what
they learned from this program,” he added.
For the elementary
school level, the regional champions are: Commonwealth Elementary
School, Commonwealth Avenue, Quezon City; Lawig Elementary School,
Lamut, Ifugao Province; Cal-laguip Elementary School, Caoayan, Ilocos
Sur; Peñablanca East Central School, Peñablanca, Cagayan; Matain
Elementary School, Subic, Zambales; San Isidro Elementary School, San
Isidro, Batangas City; San Mariano Elementary School in Roxas,
Oriental Mindoro; Iliranan Elementary School, San Carlos City, Negros
Occidental; Simeon Ayuda Elementary School, Liloan, Cebu;
Lomonon Elementary School, Palompon, Leyte;
Kibawe Central School, Kibawe, Bukidnon; Luna Elementary School,
Kapalong, Davao Del Norte; Panay Elementary School, Sto. Niño, South
Cotabato and Duangan Elementary School, Esperanza, Agusan Del Sur.
For the high school
level, the regional champions are: Jose P. Laurel Sr. High School,
Project 4, Quezon City; Baguio City National High School, Governor
Pack Road, Baguio City; Sinait National High School, Sinait, Ilocos
Sur; San Mateo General Comprehensive High School, San Mateo, Isabela;
Digdig High School, Carrangalan, Nueva Ecija; Pedro Guevara Memorial
National High School, Sta. Cruz, Laguna; President Diosdado Macapagal
Memorial National High School, Gloria, Oriental Mindoro; Camarines Sur
National High School, Naga City, Camarines Sur; Julio Ledesma National
High School, San Carlos City, Negros Occidental; University of San
Jose-Recoletos High School, Pardo, Cebu City;
Don Geronimo B. Zaldivar Memorial School of Fisheries, Albuera, Leyte;
Siayan National High School, Siayan, Zamboanga Del Norte; Balo-i
National High School, Balo-i, Lanao Del Norte; Daniel R. Aguinaldo
National High School, Matina, Davao City; Tulunan National High
School, Tulunan, North Cotabato and Esperanza National High School,
Esperanza, Agusan Del Sur.
For the college level,
the schools that made it to the national level are: Ateneo De Manila
University, Loyola Heights, Quezon City; University of the
Cordilleras, Governor Pack Road, Baguio City; Mariano Marcos State
University, Batac, Ilocos Norte; St. Paul University Philippines,
Tuguegarao City, Cagayan; De La Salle University, Dasmariñas, Cavite;
Palawan State University, Puerto Princesa City, Palawan; Catanduanes
State Colleges, Virac, Catanduanes; Central Philippine University,
Jaro, Iloilo City; St. Paul University Dumaguete, Dumaguete City,
Negros Oriental; University of Eastern
Philippines, Catarman, Northern Samar; Universidad De Zamboanga,
Tetuan, Zamboanga City; Capitol University, Cagayan De Oro City; Davao
Doctors College, Davao City; Notre Dame of Marbel University,
Koronadal City, South Cotabato and Caraga State University, Butuan
City.
Prizes for the
national level include: P50,000 - First Prize; P40,000 - Second Prize;
P30,000 - Third Prize and plaques of recognition for elementary,
secondary and tertiary education level winners.
The said nationwide
search is the Philippine initiative in support to the ASEAN
Environmental Education Action Plan (2008-2012) and the United Nations
Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014).
For details, please
contact the National Program Secretariat at the Environmental
Education and Information Division of the Environmental Management
Bureau of the DENR, at telefax number 9284674, e-mail:
ecofriendlyschools@gmail.com and website: http://www.sustainableschools.ph.
