PNoy lauds electronics sector for over.5-M jobs
CEBU CITY, April 20 (PIA) — President Benigno S. Aquino III expressed gratitude to the multinational electronics firms based in the Philippines for the over 500,000 direct jobs given to Filipinos despite the economic downturn last year.
“I am told that direct employment in the industry grew by six percent, from 500,000 in 2010 to 530,000 in 2011. This is an encouraging sign,” Aquino quoted.
The semiconductor and electronics sector accounts for an average of 65 percent of the country’s total exports, which dropped to 50 percent last year due to the financial slump worldwide, this is said.
“This contributed to the decline in total merchandise exports, which pulled down the 2011 GDP growth rate by an estimated 2.2 percentage points. Despite this, your industry was able to hire even more Filipino workers,” Aquino bared.
The President added that targeting systems are in place to enable the workforce to supply more specialists to industries that demand them.
“In fact, we have earmarked P50 million, through TESDA’s Training for Work Scholarship Program, to train 9,295 of your industry workers, and I am taking this opportunity to thank SEIPI for partnering with government through a memorandum of agreement for this effort,” the President said.
Educational reforms being implemented are designed to move Filipino workers higher up the value chain as Aquino cited the K-12 system, set to begin this June, as a long-term solution that can address the students’ global competitiveness.
As infrastructure is seen to improve in the coming years, Aquino said this would be easier for the industry to expand their businesses which he added goes hand-in-hand with the administration’s efforts to reform the bureaucracy.
“We are, however, building on initiatives that will allow the Philippines to compete more strongly in the global markets. As you may well know, we are already offering competitive incentives to electronic firms registered with investment promotion agencies,” disclosed the President.
Inclusive growth, job generation, empowered enterprises and solid investor confidence are pillars cited by Pres. Aquino in his administration’s economic agenda that are built through good governance and by setting a good example.
“My government is determined to meet any challenge that might arise in your industry with equal resilience and equal fervor. You can continue to count on my administration’s active support for the semiconductor and electronics industries,” Aquino ended his nine-minute speech which drew applause from the crowd. (PIA-Cebu)
Information to Empower Filipinos ‘Baklay Bukid-Amlig Suba’ marks Earth Day in Iloilo
ILOILO CITY, April 17 (PIA6) — Mountain trekkers, nature lovers, and environmentalists, particularly those advocating for watershed protection will again be communing in the mountains of the Tigum-Aganan watershed area.
Baklay Bukid-Amlig Suba (Up through the Mountains, Protect the River) is an adventure mountain trek which includes nature walk from upland Alimodian to the headwaters of Maasin Watershed.
Baklay Bukid started in 2009 initiated by a private organization, the Eagle Cross, Inc., in partnership with the DENR, and from then on, held every year to mark the celebration of Earth Day, April 22.
Dr. Rogelio Borro, director of the Eagle Cross said among others, the event is a celebration of the right of every Filipino to a healthy and balanced ecology by promoting community-based projects of protected areas.
Its objectives include promotion of local eco-tourism activities, such as camping, cultural exchange among host communities, and mountain trekking, and conduct research on water quality of Maasin watershed.
Further, Borro said, the activity aims to rally active participation of government agencies, private sectors, schools, non-government organizations, to better know the state of the watershed and its ecosystems.
The participants should be able-bodied males and females, 15 years old and above, coming from various sectors, including journalists, photojournalists or sheer adventurists, and learn much about the ecosystem in the process.
Registration fee is P150 per participant, to cover insurance, environmental fee, facilitation, guides, and certificate of participation, while each should bring personal provisions for food, utensils, sleeping mats, tents and drinking water.
This year’s theme for Earth Day is “Earth Day Every Day, Everywhere”. (JSC/ESS-PIA6 Iloilo).
DepEd calls on multi-sector advocacy for K to12 system
CENTRAL VISAYAS, April 9 (PIA) — The Department of Education (DepEd) called for a multi-sector advocacy for the implementation of the K to 12 curriculum system to address the poor quality of basic education in the country.
Mateo said that the rationale of the K to 12 was based on the low indicative results of the national achievement test over the years and as compared with other countries.
Scores in Mathematics and Science had been deteriorating because what was supposed to be taught in 12 years of basic education was compressed in 10 years, making it difficult to teach all the competencies required, Mateo explained.
“Thus, two years of basic education have to be added to the present curriculum to give public schoolchildren an even chance to succeed,” Mateo added.
According to the DepEd, before the K to 12 curricula was implemented, the agency had gone into a series of conferences, summit consultations, workshops, and orientation briefings throughout the country.
Mateo said research literature showed that the human brain develops between 0-6 years old thus the need for children ages 5 years to have a pre-school experience to be ready for the first grade.
Studies also noted that two years have to be added to the present 10-year basic education curriculum, he said.
DepEd then explained that the K to 12 curricula will thus have six years of elementary schooling, four years of junior high school, and two years senior high school.
“This would prepare students either for a university degree, or technical-vocational education, entrepreneurship, or employment,” the DepEd assistant secretary added.
The K to 12 ASEC Mateo continued is a learner-centered and focuses on topics that are developmentally-appropriate or age-appropriate, to allow mastery of important competencies and teaching is done seamlessly.
“For example, skills like reading graphs will be taught in Math before they are used in Science, Health or Economics. A K to 12 student goes to kindergarten at 5 years old then successfully transition to Grade 1 where the curriculum includes the mother tongue to facilitate student learning,” Mateo stated.
To facilitate the smooth transition from the present curriculum to the K to 12 program, DepEd has organized transition management teams or technical work group in each region as well as a program steering committee composed of the DepEd, TESDA, and CHED with public and private sector reps as members.
Mateo said consultation workshops, surveys, and advocacy efforts have been conducted since January 2011 to inform the parents of the K to 12 curricula.
He then requested local government units and members of the Regional Development Council to ensure that information reach the communities and to participate in future consultation workshops.
After DepEd’s presentation, Bohol governor Edgar Chatto suggested to ASEC Mateo that DepEd also strengthens the participation of a multi-sector groups led by the LGUs, particularly the school boards and parent-teacher-community (PTCA) associations and get them to help in disseminating information on the K to 12.
Mateo noted on governor Chatto’s suggestion and added that the DepEd is also tapping the private media to help in the government’s advocacy efforts on the K to 12 educational systems. (mbcn-PIA 7)
Bacolod ends rabies awareness month with anti-rabies vaccination
BACOLOD CITY, April 10 (PIA) — The Bacolod City Veterinary Office (CVO) has ended the Rabies Awareness Month with an anti-rabies vaccination held at the Bacolod Government Center with members of the Bacolod Dog Forum, a gathering of dog owners and enthusiasts, a press release from Bacolod City said.
He also said responsible pet ownership plays a vital role in eradicating rabies.
Under City Ordinance 544, series of 2011, a vaccination fee of P50 is charged for every dog or cat. The CVO accommodates walk-in clients and holds mass vaccination in the barangays of Bacolod City.(JCM/CAD-PIA6)
PNP issues safety guidelines for Lenten season
SAN JOSE, Antique, Apr 4 (PIA) — The Antique Police Provincial Office issued safety guidelines in going to churches, malls, other places of convergence and tourist destinations during this Lenten season.
PSSupt. Ruperto T. Floro, Jr, Provincial Director of Antique PNP said over the radio that people should be safety conscious when going to places of convergence. He was guest in a PIA radio program aired over station DYKA.
He added that the people may approach the PNP’s public assistance centers in terminals, churches and malls.
Aside from their operation plan for Semana Santa, PNP also prepared security measures in tourist destinations in anticipation of influx of tourists during summer months.
He also advised the public to refrain from bringing with them valuables like money, jewellery, electronic devices and important documents.
Floro also urged the public make sure that homes and properties are secured before going out of town.
Aside from ensuring that vehicles are in tip top shape, drivers should refrain from using cell phones while driving. (PSM/JCM/PIA6 Antique)
