PIA, DENR to launch climate change advocacy campaign in NCR

Much ado has been going on since the issue on climate change has surfaced as a major global threat. In the Philippines, discussions, reports, and studies on climate change have become normal consumption fare for the public especially in the wake of disasters such as super-typhoon Yolanda, typhoons Sendong and Pablo, and Manila Bay storm surge, among others, that have ravaged different parts of the country.

It is with this concern that the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) and the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) have joined efforts for a nationwide advocacy campaign on climate change adaptation and mitigation with the goal of increasing the level of consciousness of the public on climate change, its impacts on the society and the economy; and to educate them on adaptation and mitigation measures to weaken, if not stop, its negative impacts.

In the National Capital Region (NCR), a massive information and education campaign on climate change is set for implementation this year for a wider and deeper understanding of the public on this global phenomenon which was described by Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma as “the new normal”, and which needs immediate action.

On August 01 (Friday), PIA-NCR, in partnership with DENR-NCR, will launch its advocacy campaign on climate change in Metro Manila. The event signals the vociferous information dissemination campaign of the said topic in NCR using various communication strategies such as print, radio, social media, puppet show, e-comics, fora and conferences, and social mobilization among others.

The launch will cover the maiden showing of PIA-produced Puppet Show on climate change which targets to educate the younger generation on the said topic using an entertaining yet informative medium. The showing is a prelude to the series of road shows that will be conducted by PIA’s Puppet Group in different public schools in Metro Manila for the climate change advocacy throughout the year.

Also to be witnessed in the launch is the screening of “Pinakbet”, a video-feature on climate change by Youtube sensation Travis Kraft. The video tackles the effects of climate change using a Filipino gustatory favorite, and will serve as a call to action particularly to target netizens.

Another activity to be conducted in the launch is the mural painting entitled “Kulayan Natin ang Pilipinas Natin” which will engage government employees as well as select elementary students in the said advocacy using the visual arts as their medium of expression. Each brush stroke shall represent a growing consciousness among the government and the youth sector on the effects of climate change and possible mitigating interventions.

Artist, environment advocate, and Dolphin Loves Freedom founder AG Saño will also give an overview on the Junk-to-Art class to the student-participants. The class’s objective is to teach students how to create treasures out of trash by recycling glass bottles and transforming them into one-of-a-kind masterpieces and fun creations.

The last part of the activity is the ceremonial tree-planting between PIA-NCR and DENR-NCR. This will signal the beginning of the massive tree-planting project to be conducted in the National Capital Region. The activity is also a prelude to this year’s “Happy Birthday, Tree!” project with the Pilipinas Natin where some 1,000 youth volunteers and government partners will be planting tree saplings in DENR-identified areas within Metro Manila. The activity is supportive of the government’s National Greening Program.

PIA-NCR Regional Director Riza J. Baldoria said that the climate change advocacy campaign in Metro Manila is a fitting and timely project between PIA and DENR as the metropolis had its share of disasters such as typhoon Ondoy, Manila Bay storm surge, and the possible movement of the West Valley Fault. “All are effects of climate change which is a repercussion of our collective human activities,” she explained.

 “With our intensive climate change advocacy campaign and assiduous carrying out of our projects, we are optimistic that residents in Metro Manila and neighboring areas will gain more awareness and understanding of this phenomenon that presently affects us and the whole world,” Baldoria said. “The climate change mitigation and adaptation measures to be disseminated to the public will greatly help curb the ill effects of climate change on our community and the economy,” she added.

The launch of Climate Change Advocacy Campaign in the National Capital Region will be held at 11 A.M at the PIA Auditorium of the PIA Central Office in Diliman, Quezon City.

The theme of this year’s campaign is “Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na Pagbabago” -- a call to action to every Filipino to change their lifestyles in order to lower their carbon footprint which contributes to climate change. 

PNoy cites declining crime incidence in Metro Manila

The Police has posted major gains in fighting crime and ensuring peace and order, particularly in Metro Manila, President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Monday.

In his fifth State of the Nation Address, the President said the Philippine National Police (PNP) has carried out several operations to boost security and ensure public safety.

Last June, he said, the PNP implemented Operation Lambat in the National Capital Region (NCR), increasing the number of checkpoints in different areas.

"Matapos nating triplihin ang dami ng checkpoints at magsagawa ng iba't ibang operasyon, ang resulta: 862 sasakyan at 29 firearms ang nakumpiska natin. Nakapag-serve tayo ng 587 warrants of arrest, na nagresulta sa pagkakaaresto ng 410 suspects," the President said in his address.

Before Oplan Lambat was implemented from January to June, an average of 31 murder and homicide cases occurred in the NCR every week, he said.

In five weeks after the operation began, the cases of murder and homicide dropped to 22 per week, he said, adding this is a 29 percent reduction in crimes in the NCR.

And if the government could fix the police pension system, it could hire more personnel and widen the implementation of Oplan Lambat to include other areas in the country, the Chief Executive said.

The ability to procure equipment for the PNP has been affected by the Supreme Court's decision on the Disbursement Acceleration Program (DAP) but the government is trying to find other sources of funds to fill the needs of the police, according to the President.

At the same time, the PNP also reimplemented Oplan Katok to ensure that licensed firearms belong to those who qualify under the law, he said, noting that the PNP has checked 28,714 households in the NCR to verify whether gun owners' licenses remain valid.

The President also vowed to bring to justice the perpetrators of recent high-profile murder cases, saying the police have already arrested the killers of Mayor Ernesto Balolong in Pangasinan and the attackers of Davao City businessman Richard King.

Investigators are also following good leads to capture the killers of race car driver Ferdinand Pastor, he said.

"Huwag po kayong mag-alala: hahabulin natin ang hustisya sa kabuuan, hindi isang bahagi lamang. Kaya bukod sa mga ginawa nating pag-aresto, patuloy tayo sa paglikom ng ebidensiya laban sa iba pang suspects," he said.

The President also called to the Filipino people to remain strong in faith and trust, and to stay united to permanently achieve the positive transformation of the country.

Filled with hope and optimism, the President, said that the Filipino is clearly moving forward, and should continue fighting for reform in a manner that would benefit all.

“Panatag ang kalooban ko na maraming magpapatuloy sa sinimulan ko. . . Abot kamay na ng pamayanan ang tuloy tuloy at sama-samang pag-unlad ng sambayanan. Kayo ang gumawa ng transpormasyon,” Aquino said.

The President recalled how the Philippines was once the “sick man of Asia” and how there was little hope in every Filipino.

He  underscored the fruits of his good governance initiatives, covering social services, infrastructure, disaster response and economy.

Aquno said that his administration has implemented  developmental projects that have propelled the country to greater heights and were recognized by the international community.

He laid down improvements in the educational and skills enhancement programs of the government citing the 146,731 or 66 per cent of the 223,615 TESDA (Technical Education and Skills Development Authority) Training for Work Scholarship Program graduates who are currently employed, while the 33 per cent remaining are being assisted by the said office to land a job.

He also bared that a total of 1.65 million jobs have been generated from April 2013- 2014.

He added that the country’s poverty incidence decreased to 24.9 per cent in the first half of 2013 as compared to 27.9% in the same period of the previous year. This translates to about 2.5 million Filipinos who have hurdled the poverty line, “and they will no longer go back to their previous state,” he quipped.

He also mentioned the benefits the country is enjoying since the Sin Tax Reform Law which contributed to stronger tax collections, gaining revenues of P1.536 trillion in 2013 from P1.094 trillion in 2010. 

The President also said the government was able to reduce the country’s debt to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) ratio, allowing the allocation of more funds for social services.

He said that the improvements in the economy led to an upgrade in the country’s credit and investment ratings from international credit ratings groups such as Fitch, Moody’s, and Standard and Poor’s (S&P). This positive news means the country could attract more investments.

He also said that the country was at the center stage when it hosted in May the World Economic Forum on East Asia. In 2015, the country will host the Asia Economic Cooperation Summit  (APEC), and “there is no doubt: the Philippines is indeed more open for business,” the President said.

All these are due to the good governance which has been the battlecry of his administration.

As far as infrastructure is concerned, he said that there has a massive expansion in infrastructure projects with P404.3 billion cost of infrastructures in 2014 versus the P203 billion in 2011. Roads constructed all throughout the country, for example, have reached 12,184 km or an equivalent of four (4) roads connecting Laoag down to Zamboanga.

The President also boasted of the seven (7) Public Private Partnership (PPP) projects amounting to P62.6 billion from Dec. 2011 to June 2014. The various eyed dam and water infrastructure projects are in response to the 2021 forecast water shortage in the country, he added.

Reforms in the Bureau of Customs have also been made as a new set of commissioners were put into office to improve the agency’s system. This led to a 22 per cent increase in collections.

The country’s disaster response and management was also applauded by the President as in the case of Tacloban and other areas in the Visayas which were ravaged by super typhoon Yolanda. In only a month’s time, the country was declared in the rehabilitation stage.  He added that the UN lauded the country for its quick recovery from such a disaster.

Aquino said he's already contented that if the time comes for him to go, there will be those who will continue the reforms he has made since he took power in 2010.

A teary-eyed Aquino said had he ran away from leading the country's transformation, it was as if he did not honor the memory of his parents, martyred former Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino Jr. and the late President Corazon "Cory" Aquino.

He also gave a new twist to his father's famous line, saying the "Filipino is worth dying for, the Filipino is worth living for, and the Filipino is definitely worth fighting for."

Government launches nationwide climate change advocacy campaign

“Correct information is the best way to combat climate change.” This was the message sent across media practitioners and public information officers during the media launch for the government’s climate change advocacy campaign held July 18 at the Philippine Information Agency (PIA) auditorium in Quezon City.

Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR) Secretary Ramon P. Paje said that while the country boasts of state of the art facilities that could forecast incoming weather disturbances, “there is a need for stronger network for information dissemination to achieve zero casualty during disasters.”

“Climate change is now the new normal, and the government’s advocacy campaign on climate change focuses on two extremes: extreme rain and extreme summer,” Paje said.

Meanwhile, Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Sonny Coloma said that there are three principles governing an effective climate change adaptation and mitigation campaign. These are (1) awareness and consciousness (kaalaman at kamalayan); (2) preparedness and capability (kahandaan at kakayahan); and (3) unity and solidarity/determination (kaisahan at katatagan).

Using the three (3) typhoons that recently hit the country such as Sendong, Pablo, Yolanda, Sec. Coloma said that awareness of incoming disasters needs to be coupled with preparedness and capability in terms of responding to them, as well as unity among government agencies and the public, as well as a strong determination to provide the necessary interventions to minimize their effects.

He added that it is high time to face the challenges of times as climate change is already happening. He urged the public to change their lifestyles in order to lower their carbon footprint which contributes to climate change.

He aptly put his message in the lines, which also serves as the theme for this year’s climate change advocacy campaign: “Nagbabago na ang panahon; panahon na para magbago.” (Climate change is already happening; it is now time to change.)

The campaign is a project of the DENR, in partnership with the PIA.

The project also garnered support from private television station GMA 7, which expressed its support to the project through a memorandum of agreement (MOA) signing which includes provision of free air plugs, endorsement by GMA 7 talents of the campaign, and other collaborations to strengthen the dissemination of climate change information to the public.

The activity also saw the presentation of the “PUNOAN” brand – a reinforcement project of the government’s National Greening Program (NGP) which aims to plant 1.5 billion trees all throughout the country by 2016.

Also the “Manila BAYanihan” advocacy campaign, which aims for a unified information, education and communication (IEC) and capacity-building campaign for the rehabilitation of the Manila Bay, was presented during the said launch. 

PIA-NCR to conduct climate change forum and skills enhancement seminar

As part of the government’s massive advocacy campaign on Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation, the Philippine Information Agency- National Capital Region (PIA-NCR), in cooperation with the Department of Environment and Natural Resources- National Capital Region (DENR-NCR), has organized a Climate Change Forum and Skills Enhancement Seminar for NCR public information officers set on June 18-20 in Baguio City.

To be participated in by members of the Association of Information Officers in Metro Manila (AIMM), composed of public information officers (PIOs) from the 17 local government units (LGUs) in NCR, and information officers of the NCR regional offices of national government agencies (NGAs); the seminar-forum aims to broaden the knowledge of PIOs on climate change being an inevitable phenomenon that poses dangers and risks if not given immediate action.

Also invited to participate are information officers from PIA and DENR regional offices in  Northern Luzon.

It also aims to introduce current trends and innovations in journalism that would further improve their skills in press release writing, media relations, crisis communication, and communicating climate change adaptation and mitigation interventions—all to produce relevant, timely, and effective communication materials that could influence the public to act towards climate change and possibly curb the ominous effects it could bring.

Invited speakers include big names from the country’s top dailies such as Ms. Dulce Sanchez, Metro Editor of the Philippine Star; Mr. Joseph Voltaire Contreras, Metro Editor of the Philippine Daily Inquirer; and Mr. Vicente Bartilad, Assistant Editor in Chief of the Manila Bulletin.

From the government side, Ms. Harriet Tauli of the Climate Change Commission (CCC) will tackle Communicating Climate Change Adaptation and Mitigation to the public.

The AIMM, which was founded in 1997 by PIA-NCR Regional Director Riza Baldoria, is an organization which aims to unite LGUs and NGAs in the National Capital Region towards the dissemination and communication of government programs, projects, and activities in the region. The AIMM also serves as an intermediary between the public and the government through its feedback mechanism activities.

From its formation, the AIMM has already conducted various skills enhancement training-seminars, workshops on government programs, public service activities, and media fora, among others, that had benefitted not only its members but the general public as well.

For this year’s campaign the PIA and DENR, along with its various regional offices, have lined up a series of activities specifically for Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation Advocacy.

The theme for the government’s Climate Change campaign is “Nagbabago na ang Panahon, Panahon na Para MAgbago.” 

Filipino YES Program scholars complete 1-year academic study in the U.S.

Twenty-eight (28) Filipino scholars of the US-funded Kennedy- Lugar Youth Exchange and Study (YES) Program arrived Sunday (June 22) from the United States (U.S.) after completing one academic year in high school in the said country.

The 28 students are among the 393 Filipino YES alumni scholars who have been sent to the U.S. since 2004 to be immersed in American culture and learn about their society and values, and to acquire leadership skills through exposure to extra-curricular activities in school and in their host community.

At the same time, the scholars are also given the opportunity to educate Americans about the Philippines, Filipino culture, and Muslim tradition and practices.

This is in line with the YES Program’s objectives of intercultural exchange to create better and mutual awareness and understanding of the American and Muslim community that would eventually lead to a harmonious co-existence between the two cultures.

The program provides for a scholarship to high school students from areas with significant Muslim population— Mindanao, in the case of the Philippines.

The exchange students live with host families from the host city and state, and engage in American education and way of living for a year.

In his speech yesterday (June 23) during the welcome ceremonies to the scholars, U.S. Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg said the program is a venue where the exchange students could broaden their ability to see how other countries work, and experience firsthand American culture and lifestyle.

While the Ambassador admitted that times are different now with the innovations in technology, people remain the same—in hopes, goals, and aspirations.

The intercultural exchange program, he said, “could open more opportunities for peace and economic development, through the students.”

He also said, “the program will continue to go on, for the program seeks to address misunderstandings about U.S. attitudes, and towards Muslim community through the young people.”

He stressed that the youth around the world should understand that “we are in a multi-ethnic society, and for Filipinos, the program aims to open their minds and develop their understanding in a way that is beneficial to the country, particularly in the poorest and conflict-heavy areas.”

During their sharing, the exchange scholars described their one year in the U.S. as a “learning-packed experience, as they were able to understand American lifestyle—which is quite different from those portrayed in movies.”

Nahida H. Ali, Iligan City-based scholar who went to study in Franklin, Indiana, said that her experience was “a wonderful learning experience for it allowed her to meet American people who are very friendly and tolerant of other cultures.” She said that despite her being a Muslim, clad in Hijab, she never felt like an outcast. Her ways were accepted by her school mates and host family.

General Santos City native Datu Yoseff Pendatun who went to Massachusetts said that given another opportunity, he would like to continue his college education in the U.S. His experience taught him a lot especially in leadership skills and understanding foreign culture. When asked about discrimination, he said that there was never a time when he felt he was discriminated because of his race or for any other reason.

The YES Program was established in 2002 in response to the events of September 11, 2001. The program is funded through the U.S Department of State and is implemented in the Philippines by the AFS Intercultural Programs, Philippines. It offers full scholarship to high school students, including students with physical disabilities, in 39 countries. 

PIA head urges info. officers to be catalysts of change towards national development

Philippine Information Agency (PIA) director general Jose Mari Oquiñena urged government information officers to be catalyst of change towards national development.

“Public information officers should not only be disseminators of information, but also catalysts of change towards national development,” Oquiñena told government information officers who attended the Skills Enhancement Seminar and Climate Change Forum held June 18-20, in Baguio City.

Oqui?ena  also  reminded the participants  not just to inform but also to form and  “help empower the nation through  leadership, stewardship, and innovation.”

He also added that “information officers must seek the truth and think of the responsibility to their fellowmen; one should stand up not only for himself, but for others, for his community, and for his country as a whole.”

The event  gathered public information officers (PIOs) from national government agencies (NGAs)-NCR regional offices, as well as PIOs from Metro Manila’s local government units (LGUs) with the aim of re-strengthening their skills in press release writing, media relations, and crisis communication--- skills necessary to be effective communicators of relevant and timely information to the public.

Information officers from Regions 1, 2, 3, and CAR were also present in the activity.

Updates on the government’s initiatives for climate change adaptation and mitigation were also discussed in line with government agencies’ concerted efforts to address the growing concern on climate change, its ill effects, and possible interventions to weaken the threatening repercussions it could bring.

Invited resource speakers are respected names from the country’s top publications and institutions: Dulce Sanchez of the Philippine Star, Joseph Voltaire Contreras of the Philippine Daily Inquirer, and Sammy Santos of the Public Relations and Information Bureau of the Philippine Senate.

The speakers re-acquainted the participants with the basics in journalism— sometimes overlooked even by veteran writers. These range from the data gathering task of a writer to writing effective leads, sustaining the readers’ interest without losing conciseness in one’s articles, and being always accessible to media for clarification and updates on one’s stories.

The challenge is how to package one’s information in an effective and useful manner, and how to manage possible miscommunication .

Philippine Star metro editor, Ms. Dulce Sanchez, who gave tips on “How to Get One’s Press Releases Published,” emphasized the importance of being always grammatically impeccable as a simple misuse of preposition could change everything, with risks of ruining one’s credibility.

She also warned against the use of long and highly-ornamented press releases; she advised writers to always be on-topic, and to highlight what is relevant and beneficial to the readers.

Philippine Daily Inquirer metro editor Mr. Joseph Voltaire Contreras, who gave a talk on “Re-strengthening Media Relations” underscored the importance of establishing good relations with media partners, as well as with the journalist’s first-hand sources of information which include government heads and their press relations officers.

 He also advised information officers to maximamize the use of modern technology such as websites to maximize the exchange of correct information to their media counterparts.

He also emphasized the importance of providing substantial data to support one’s claims in his or her press releases—“something writers forget to do,” according to him.

 Mr. Sammy Santos, director for print media , Public Relations and Information Bureau, Philippine Senate  discussed “Media and Crisis Communication” put emphasis on “fast, speedy, and responsive” as necessary qualities in crisis communication. He said that in crisis management, one “should be able to anticipate crises from arising, armed with necessary interventions that are commensurate to the issue being resolved.”

From the government side, Ms. Harriet Tauli represented the Climate Change Commission-- lead agency for climate change monitoring in the country. She tackled the agency’s climate change national action plan that provides for a roadmap in the government’s monitoring of its climate change initiatives which are expected to continue until the year 2028.

The Climate Change Forum is among the many projects of PIA-NCR and DENR-NCR that are slated to be undertaken this year as they embark on a massive climate change advocacy campaign in the National Capital Region.

This year’s advocacy for climate change adaptation and mitigation has the theme “Nagbabago na ang Panahon; Panahon na Para Magbago.”

The activity was also in cooperation with the Association of Information Officers in Metro Manila (AIMM) whose members are information officers from  17 LGUs in Metro Manila regional information officers from national government agencies’  regional offices of NCR.

The AIMM was founded in 1997 by PIA-NCR Regional Director Riza J. Baldoria with the objective of uniting Metro Manila’s LGUs and NGAs towards the dissemination and communication of government, programs, projects, and activities in the region.

The AIMM also serves as the mouthpiece of the public and the government through its feedback-mechanism and query-response activities. 

PIA-NCR, DENR-NCR hold forum on Project NOAH and Greening Program as part of Climate Change Advocacy

A forum on the government’s Project Nationwide Operational Assessment of Hazards (NOAH), Earthquake Preparedness and the National Greening Program (NGP) was held today at the Ecology Center Compound in Diliman, Quezon City.

Participated by city environment and natural resources officers (CENRO) as well as disaster management unit officers in Metro Manila’s local government units (lgus), the forum aims to educate city officials on earthquake preparedness given the existence of the West Valley Fault traversing certain areas in Metro Manila; as well as in the use of the DOST-created application/ website named Project NOAH as an early warning tool for typhoon preparedness which aims to assist the public in disaster prevention.

The forum also aims to give a background to the participants on the government’s National Greening Program or the Executive Order 26 which aims to plant some 1.5 Billion trees for a period of six years (2011-2016), and the harmonizing of this initiative in Metro Manila.

Among the invited resource speaker in the forum is Mr. Jeffrey Perez, Supervising Science Research Specialist of the Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (PhiVolcs), who discussed the possibility of a strong earthquake in Metro Manila with the existence of the West Valley Fault, as well as other calamities caused by the country’s geographic and geologic setting.

He said that certain areas in Metro Manila such as Quezon City, Marikina, Makati, Pasig, Taguig, and Muntinlupa would be directly affected with the West Valley Fault traversing the said areas.

Mr. Oscar Victor Lizardo, Chief Science Research Specialist from the Department of Science and Technology (DOST), gave an overview of the tool Project NOAH which provides for an accurate, integrated, and responsive disaster prevention and mitigation system, especially in high-risk areas in the Philippines.

He discussed the different warning signals that could be seen in the tool, which could serve as guide to the public in identifying disaster-prone and/or calamity-affected areas.

Regional Technical Director Antonio C. Manila presented implementing activities of the various LGUs in the National Capital Region (NCR) in compliance of the National Greening Program.

The forum is a joint project of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-NCR) and the Philippine Information Agency-National capital Region (PIA-NCR) in response to the growing threat of climate change which affects the world today.

DENR-NCR Regional Executive Director Lourdes Wagan in her welcome remarks said that the activities (including the said forum) that would be implemented by PIA and NCR are all climate change mitigation and adaptation activities that would help the public prepare for disasters brought about by climate change.

PIA-NCR Regional Director Riza J. Baldoria in her keynote speech said that the forum is among the series of activities to be implemented by DENR and PIA as part of the national and regional campaign for climate change adaptation and mitigation.

The project is a product of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) signed by DENR Secretary Ramon J.P. Paje and Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO)- PIA Secretary Sonny Coloma which provides for a partnership between the two said agencies in the campaign of climate change adaptation and mitigation.

RD Baldoria said that the different activities lined up throughout the year which include various fora, mural painting, AVP launch, Puppet Theater presentation, social mobilization activities such as “Happy birthday, Tree, Youth Camp, among others, would provide for the necessary information to shed light on climate change as a product of human activities.

She said that while these activities would educate the public, these are also aimed at making the people realize the role they have to play to address climate change, as they are guided by the campaign’s battlecry “Pabago-bago na ang panahon, panahon na para magbago.”

She ended her speech by leaving a quote which aptly summarizes the reality about the man and the environment: “The earth doesn’t belong to man; Man belongs to Earth. Whatever befalls the earth befalls the sons and daughters of the earth.”