recognising the strength of the filipino workforce

Transcription

117
Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong
Nasimulan, Abot-Kamay
na ng Bayan
th
Philippine Independence Day
thursday, june 11, 2015
Recognising the Strength of
the Filipino Workforce
HE Wilfredo C Santos,
Philippine Ambassador to Qatar
A
s the Filipino community in
Qatar celebrates the 117th
Anniversary of the Declaration of Philippine Independence on June 12, I wish to
take this opportunity to recognise
the estimated 200,000-strong
overseas Filipinos in Qatar who
have consistently shown hard work
and professionalism.
With this year’s theme “Triumphs through reforms, within nation’s reach”, it should be emphasised that overseas Filipinos have
played a vital role in the economic
triumph that the Philippines enjoys today. The remittances alone
of overseas Filipinos have kept the
Philippine economy afloat especially during those uncertain times that
the global economy went through.
However, the contributions of
overseas Filipinos to the Philippine economy should not be based
on remittances alone. We believe
that overseas Filipinos could still
contribute more significantly to the
nation’s progress, while at the same
time ensuring their long-term security when they themselves finally
go back home to their families for
good.
That is why the Embassy, in
coordination with the Philippine
Overseas Labor Office in Qatar and
partner agencies from the Philippine government and the civil society sector, provide various capacitybuilding and financial education
programmes to further empower
Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE Wilfredo C Santos (front centre) with the officials and staff of the Philippine Embassy Doha.
overseas Filipinos: teaching them
to wisely manage their earnings
and invest in their own businesses
back home, and transform them
into active players in the Philippine
economy.
Being an Overseas Filipino
Worker (OFW) is and should not be
a long-term arrangement for Filipi-
nos. Being away from your home
country, your family, friends and
other loved-ones has created various social implications and problems that threaten bonds within
the family. While the Philippine
government highly values the role
of the Filipino family as the foundation of our nation, we look forward
Message from the
Department of Foreign Affairs
to the day when every Filipino will
no longer have to go overseas to
look for greener pastures and part
with their families.
For the meantime though, the
Philippine Embassy remains committed to protecting the rights and
looking after the welfare of our
overseas Filipinos in Qatar in col-
Message from
the Office of the President
A
S we celebrate the 117th Anniversary of the Proclamation of
the Philippine Independence
with pride and poignant remembrance, we honor the sacrifices of
our heroes who fought with incredible courage to secure our freedom as a nation.
From Dr Jose Rizal, to Andres
Bonifacio and Apolinario Mabini,
our timeless champions continue
to inspire the Philippines to be
proud of its past, faithful to the
present and confident about its
future.
In the last five years under the Aquino administration’s reform agenda dubbed, ‘Tuwid na Daan’, our country has never been more optimistic
about its future. Now, more than ever, the Philippines is assured of its
role in the community of responsible nations.
This year’s theme, “Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong
Nasimulan, Abot-Kamay na ng Bayan” (Independence 2015: Triumphs
through reforms, within nation’s reach), therefore comes with renewed
international confidence in the Philippines’ potential not only as one of
Asia’s growth engines but also in its emerging role as a lead advocate in
the region on the primacy of the rule of law.
For its part, as the ‘Department that never sleeps’, the Department of Foreign Affairs continues to embrace the ideals of our heroes
in pursuing a principled, focused and forward-looking foreign policy;
whether in terms of preserving national security, enhancing economic
diplomacy or protecting the rights and promoting the welfare of our
overseas Filipinos.
We continue to call on all our kababayans to do their share in building a progressive Philippines. We encourage investors and development
partners to help us achieve a truly inclusive Filipino society. We envision
the current and the next generation of Filipino leaders and social entrepreneurs to continue the reform agenda so that, in the words of President Benigno S. Aquino III, ‘no one is left behind’.
In commemorating this year’s Independence Day, let the lives of our
national heroes remind us of the powerful lessons of choice, inclusiveness, and above all, the very nature that makes us all human – the
capacity to do good and to achieve greatness.
Mabuhay ang Araw ng Kalayaan!
Albert F. Del Rosario
Secretary of Foreign Affairs
laboration with our partners from
the host government.
As the road to the 2022 FIFA
World Cup nears, we are prepared
to face the challenges that go with a
burgeoning population of qualified
Filipino workers eager to contribute to Qatar’s economic and infrastructure development.
More than just recognising their
strength, it is imperative that the
Philippine Embassy continues to
empower the Filipino workforce to
better prepare them for whatever
lies ahead.
Happy Independence Day
to all my kababayans in Qatar!
Mabuhay!
Message from the
Department of Labor and Employment
O
I
join all Filipinos across the globe in celebrating the 117th
Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Philippine Independence.
Today, our shared heritage come to the fore, as our hearts swell
with pride to commemorate this pivotal milestone in our history.
We honour the courage, selflessness, grit, resolve, and passion of
our forefathers that won us our liberty and marked our identity as
a people. 117 years later, we stand humbled by, and grateful for,
their gift of sovereignty.
We are reminded that ours is a democracy earned throught the
vilaiant sacrifices of our predecessors, and a relentless pursuit of
peace, development, and solidarity. Though the tides of fate have
brought us to different shores, our rallying cry resonates with the
same dream for our countryment: An inclusive, progressive nation.
We call on you to exercise the rights and freedom borne from
the toil of our ancestors and contribute towards shaping a more
proactive and mature discourse, perpetuating positive change to
the broader spectrum of society, and emancipating our citizenry
from the shackles of poverty, corruption, and greed. Together, let
us weave our own voices of compassion and hope into a narrative of resilience and empowerment, and make tangible the
legacy we are crafting; The Philippines we will all be proud to
bequeath to coming generations.
May we all have a meaningful Independence Day.
Benigno S. Aquino III
President
n this occasion of national remembrance of
a great day of patriotism, valor, and resilience,
I extend my warmest and
sincerest greetings to all
Filipinos, especially to our
migrant workers.
The Philippines is a
nation imbued with a rich
history. Everyday, heroic
acts are performed by
Filipino men and women,
enriching this history even
more and inspiring both
present and future generations with national pride.
Before Independence, our struggle was for political and
social emancipation. Now that we have achieved this, our fight
is already for economic progress and prosperity, and more.
We wave the Philippine flag on this historic day to keep alive
the values that its colours represent: peace, truth and justice,
for royal blue: patriotism and valor, for scarlet red: and equality and brotherhood for white. The importance of imbibing and
living these values resonates more in our time with we at the
DOLE are taking a fast productive employment, social protection
for vulnerable workers, sustained industrial peace and labour
justice for all.
This year’s Independence Day commemorative theme, “Kalayaan 2015: Tagumpay sa Pagbabbagong Nasimulan, AbotKamay na ng Bayan,” reflects our efforts towards these activities.
It serves to remind us to act together as officials and employees
of the Department and to remain true and focused on our reforms so that those who will succeed us in the years to come will
already have a sound platform with a solid foundation to build on
and pile up more gains. Our gift to all Filipinos this Independence
Day is to bring inclusive growth through decent work. Let us work
together to multiply this gift.
On behalf of the Department of Labor and Employment, I greet
you all a meaningful Independence Day.
Nawa’y manatiling nagaalab ang ating pagka-Pilipino, sa isip, sa
salita, at sa gawa. God bless !
Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz
Secretary of Department of Labor and Employment
117th Philippine Independence Day
| PAGE 02 | thursday, june 11, 2015
117
th
Tagumpay sa Pagbabagong Nasimulan, Abot-Kamay
na ng Bayan
| PAGE 03 | thursday, june 11, 2015 155 Filipino groups
in Qatar and counting
To date, there are about 30
groups highlighting the various
professions in which Filipinos
are in demand. In the medical field, there are groups of
nurses, physical therapists,
radiology technicians and pharmacists. They take the lead in
conducting medical missions,
especially in labour camps,
where also there are many
kabayan workers.
Ailyn Agonia
I
doha
n Qatar, a tiny slice of the Philippines
stands out for a number of reasons. Being the third largest expatriate community in the country, kabayans are everywhere. The Filipino workforce has a
strong presence in different industries and
occupies various job titles. Employers hold
them in high esteem for their hard work,
dedication and loyalty.
But as Filipinos in Qatar unite to mark
their country’s Independence Day on Friday, it is noteworthy to highlight another
distinction that defines the community - the
huge number of Filipino groups and organisations at the core of this dynamic group.
As of May 29 2015, there were about
155 Filipino organisations accredited by
the Philippine Embassy Doha. The roster
comprises an interesting mix of professions, interests and advocacies, giving a
better picture of the strengths of Filipinos
and how this workforce contributes to the
Qatar community in general.
Four new groups have recently been
welcomed to the bloc. They are the Association of Real Estate Executives in Qatar
(Afreeq), Bol-Anon Qatar, Smashers Badminton Group Qatar and the Samahang
Basketbol ng Pilipinas (SBP-DOHA Referee). The groups were duly recognised in
the presence of officials of the United Filipino Organizations in Qatar (UFOQ), the
community’s umbrella organisation, and
the Philippine Ambassador to Qatar HE
Wilfredo Santos in a general meeting of the
community held recently.
Eight more groups are lined-up for accreditation and will be presented in the next
general assembly meeting of UFOQ. These
Association of Real Estate Executives in Qatar (Afreeq).
groups are the Pukol Pinoy Qatar, Alliance of Filipino Journalists in Qatar (AFJQ), Filipino
New Muslim Development Association, Pinoy Lente Qatar,
Pinoy Wise Qatar, Filipino Bowlers Association Qatar, More Fun
in Doha and the Kaloob Philippine Music & Dance Ministry.
To date, there are about 30
groups highlighting the various
professions in which Filipinos
are in demand. In the medical
field, there are groups of nurses, physical therapists, radiology technicians and pharmacists.
They take the lead in conducting
medical missions, especially in labour camps, where also there are
many kabayan workers.
turn to page 4 
2 Qatar Chapter.
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Filipino Fitness and Health in Qatar (FFHQ).
117
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155 Filipino groups in Qatar...
Pinoy Basketball of Qatar
 Continued from page 3 
Engineering, an industry
where Filipinos thrive, also has
dozens of related groups for
civil engineers, mechanical engineers, safety engineers and
structural engineers.
The Philippine Association
of Safety Engineers (Phase),
among the most active in the lot,
has more than 1,000 members.
Other professional groups for
architects, quantity surveyors
safety practitioners, educators,
accountants, musicians, entrepreneurs and investors, realtors
and media practitioners are also
in place.
With Filipinos often described as regionalists rather
than nationalists, it is not surprising to see more than 20 regional groups existing in Qatar.
Among those regions and provinces represented in UFOQ’s
list are Cavite, Ilocos region,
Iloilo, Bicol, Batangas, Pangasinan, Zambales, Mindoro, Leyte,
Samar, Marinduque and other
provinces in Mindanao.
Pinoys’ love of sports is
manifested in the various sports
groups holding tournaments
and leagues both for entertainment and as outreach initiatives.
There is a group of chess players and bowlers, tennis, badminton and table tennis lovers,
volleyball enthusiasts, golfers,
billiards fanatics, those who are
fond of football and playing dart,
and the recently formed group of
Filipino dragonboat rowers.
Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (Pibaq) is among the more
Pinoy Mountain Bikers of Qatar
Pinoy Expats Auto Club for Enthusiasts (Peace) Qatar
prominent Filipino groups conducting regular tournaments
widely-supported by local players, hosting special events featuring the biggest names in the
Philippine basketball scene.
When it comes to health
and fitness, the community is
proud to have a group focused
on the body’s well-being. Aptly
called the Filipino Fitness and
Health in Qatar (FFHQ), this
‘one of a kind group’ formed two
years ago and takes the lead in
advocating a healthy lifestyle
through its popular fitness sessions held at the Corniche every
Friday morning. So far, it is the
only community group that was
granted permission by the government of Qatar to conduct a
regular fitness session in a public place. An average of 200 to
300 people - including health
enthusiasts from other nationalities are participating in this
initiative.
In addition to all the organisations mentioned, the list of
Filipino groups in Qatar also
include a number of Filipino
brotherhoods and sisterhoods,
religious groups, organisations
of photographers, bikers, animal lovers, dance groups, singing and acting groups, Pinoy
communities in Al Khor and
Dukhan, car and motorcycle en-
thusiasts, and advocacy groups
focusing on empowering OFWs.
The aim of these OFWs is to extend assistance to those in need
and protecting the interest of the
most vulnerable Filipinos in this
country.
More groups are expected to
come up in the coming years as
Qatar offers more opportunities to hardworking Filipinos to
take part in the exciting developments taking place this side of
the Gulf. More interesting and
intriguing initiatives are likely to
catch the fancy of the fun-loving
and sociable Pinoys, as they continue to liven up their own piece
of Manila in Qatar.
117
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Philippines is second to China
on Bloomberg’s 2015 Global
Economy list
T
he Philippine economy is projected to
be the second fastest growing economy
in 2015 according to
a Bloomberg’s survey that
is based upon average
economists’ estimates.
would make up 16 percent
of the global gross domestic product. These coun-
tries are expected to grow 5
percent in 2015 according
to Bloomberg.
Meanwhile, oil producers like Malaysia will experience their economy’s
growth slow from 6 percent
to less than 5 percent due
to lower oil prices. Also,
economists are now pointing to Africa as the next
fast-growth region after
Asia, with Kenya and Nigeria in the top fastest growing economies.
(Source: Biz Progress via www.
goodnewspilipinas.com)
Your news, Your views
Read online 24X7....
The economic growth
of the Philippines is seen
as second only to China
among Bloomberg’s list of
‘This Year’s All Stars of the
Global Economy.’ The Philippines is also likely to gain
from the decreasing oil
prices in the global market.
Bloomberg’s survey of
economies suggests that
in 2015, the world is expected to grow 3.2 percent
and then 3.7 the year after,
expanding 3.3 percent in
each of the two years.
The Philippines along
with China, Kenya, India
and Indonesia combined
visit
The Philippines along with
China, Kenya, India and
Indonesia combined would
make up 16 percent of the
global gross domestic product, are all expected to grow
5 percent in 2015 according
to Bloomberg.
The Philippine flag
Sun’s rays
Prior to the centennial celebrations of Philippine
independence in 1998, the provincial government of
Zambales lobbied that the sunburst design accommodate a ninth ray, reasoning that their province
was also in a state of rebellion in 1896. The Centennial Commission however refuted this change,
based on research by the National Historical Institute.
In August 2003, then Foreign Affairs Secretary
Blas Ople also lobbied for a ninth ray, saying that
Quezon province should be added. He reasoned that
the first uprising against the Spaniards happened at
the foot of Mount Banahaw which was led by Hermano Pule in 1841.
In 2009, Senate Bill
No 3307 was introduced
to add an additional ray
to represent the Moro
people in Mindanao who
also fought the Spanish
and were never occupied
by the Spanish colonial
government. The Senate
approved the Conference
Committee Report on the
bill on October 14, 2009.
As of 2014, the Ninth Ray movement is among
the prominent groups pushing for the addition of a
ninth ray to the flag’s sun. Proponents of the movement believe that a ninth ray should be added to
represent the Muslim and indigenous people of the
country who kept colonisers away from their lands.
Flag protocol
The flag should be displayed at all government
buildings, official residences, public plazas, and
schools every day throughout the year. The days of
the 28th of May (National Flag Day) and the 12th
of June (Independence Day) are designated as flag
days, during which all offices, agencies and instrumentalities of government, business establishments, institution of learning and private homes are
enjoined to display the flag. But in recent years, the
flag days now cover a longer period, from May 28 to
June 30, to promote patriotism and to celebrate the
nation’s independence.
By law, the Philippine flag must permanently be
hoisted and illuminated at night at the following locations:
• Malacañan Palace, the official residence of the
President of the Philippines
• Congress of the Philippines
• Senate of the Philippines
• House of Representatives
• Supreme Court
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Rizal Monument in Luneta
Aguinaldo Shrine in Kawit, Cavite
Barasoain Shrine in Malolos, Bulacan
Tomb of the Unknown Soldier
Libingan ng mga Bayani
Mausoleo de los Veteranos de la Revolución
All international ports of entry
All other places as may be designated by the
National Historical Institute
Half-mast
The flag may be flown at half-mast as a sign of
mourning. Upon the official announcement of the
death of the President or a former President, the
flag should be flown at half-mast for ten days. The
flag should be flown at
half-mast for seven days
following the death of the
Vice President, the Chief
Justice, the President of
the Senate or the Speaker
of the House of Representatives.
The flag may also be
required to fly at halfmast upon the death of
other persons to be determined by the National Historical Institute, for a
period less than seven days. The flag shall be flown
at half-mast on all the buildings and places where
the decedent was holding office, on the day of death
until the day of interment of an incumbent member
of the Supreme Court, the Cabinet, the Senate or the
House of Representatives, and such other persons
as may be determined by the National Historical Institute.
When flown at half-mast, the flag should be first
hoisted to the peak for a moment then lowered to
the half-mast position. It should be raised to the
peak again before it is lowered for the day.
The flag may also be used to cover the caskets of
the dead of the military, veterans of previous wars,
national artists, and outstanding civilians as determined by the local government. In such cases, the flag
must be placed such that the white triangle is at the
head and the blue portion covers the right side of the
casket. The flag should not be lowered to the grave or
allowed to touch the ground, but should be solemnly
folded and handed to the heirs of the deceased.
Important reminders
Section 10 of RA 8491 states that when the flag is
displayed on a wall during peacetime, the blue field
should be at the observers’ left. The flag with the red
field on top when hoisted on a pole, or on the left
side when mounted on a wall means that the country is at war.
117
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T
Philippines most improved country
since 2010: NCC quotes WEF report
he Philippines has advanced
seven more notches to No. 52
in the World Economic Forum’s Global Competitiveness
Report 2014-2015, from No.
59 last year, according to a statement issued by the National Competitiveness Council (NCC) published on www.competitive.org.ph.
NCC is a public-private body
that develops strategy for the longterm competitiveness of the Philippines through policy reforms,
project implementation, institution
building and performance monitoring.
Guillermo M Luz, the co-chairman for Private Sector of NCC,
cited in the statement that the Philippines has now gained a total of 33
places from 85th in 2010, making it
the most improved country overall
since 2010.
“This latest report brings us
closer to our goal of moving from
the bottom-third of world rankings
in 2010 to the top-third by 2016,”
he said.
The Global Competitiveness
Report is an annual publication
that provides a comprehensive
picture of the productivity and
competitiveness of a country by
gathering statistical and survey
data on over 100 factors grouped
into 12 pillars or categories. It is
one of the most widely-read competitiveness reports and is highly
correlated to investment attractiveness. This year, the Philippines moved up in 10 of the 12
categories of the index.
Luz said based on the report,
the country’s strongest performing areas were macroeconomic
environment (up 14 from 40th
to 26th); business sophistication
(up 3 from 49th to 46th); innovation (up 17, from 69th to 52nd);
higher education and training
(up 3 from 67th to 64th); institutions (up 12, from 79th to 67th);
and technological readiness (up
8, from 77th to 69th). Out of 114
indicators measured, the Philippines now has 67 indicators
ranked at the upper half of world
rankings and only 5 are ranked in
the bottom 20%, the report further showed.
Luz said while the Philippines
showed improvements in most
categories, its global rankings remained low and indicated large
room for improvements in Labor Market Efficiency (up 9, from
GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS REPORT
PHILIPPINES vs ASEAN
Co-chairman for Private Sector of NCC Guillermo M Luz.
NCC is a public-private body
that develops strategy for the
long-term competitiveness of
the Philippines through policy
reforms, project implementation,
institution building and
performance monitoring.
100th to 91st); Infrastructure (up
5, from 96th to 91st); and Health
and Primary Education (up 4, from
96th to 92nd).
“The report once again highlighted the significant strides in
the Institutions pillar, which essentially focuses on Governance
and Anti-Corruption. The pillar
looks at the legal and administrative environment, as well as government attitudes and efficiency.
Since 2010, five of the top ten indicators in which the Philippines
recorded the biggest gains were
under Institutions.
“We view the rise in our Institutional and Macroeconomic Environment rankings as a significant
sign that good governance and
economic development are closely
linked. As trust in government
rises, investor confidence and economic growth follow,” he said.
In the statement Luz also underlined the five most problematic
factors for doing business in the
Philippines namely corruption, inadequate supply of infrastructure,
tax regulations, inefficient government bureaucracy, and tax rates.
At the World Economic Forum on East Asia held in Manila last May, WEF Founder
and Executive Chairman Klaus
Schwab cited “the progress the
country has made on so many
parameters of competitiveness”
and was impressed by reforms
that have been achieved and will
be achieved. While John Pang,
chairman of the WEF Global
Advisory Council on Southeast
Asia remarked that there’s a very
strong sense that the Philippines
is on track.
“The Philippines is now
ranked 5th of nine in the ASEAN
and is at the cusp of breaking into
the top third of global rankings.
We still follow Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, and Indonesia
but recorded the largest gain in
ASEAN this year. We are presently ahead of Vietnam, Lao, Cambodia, and Myanmar. Brunei was
not covered in this year’s edition
of the report.
“The report gives us a good
diagnostic tool for identifying our
strengths and weaknesses. Over
the next two years, we will be focusing on the areas which require
urgent attention such as Infrastructure and Primary Health and
Education, and others. With the
continued support and cooperation of the public and private sector, we are confident that we will
meet our goal of entering the topthird of global rankings ahead of
schedule,” Luz said.
(Source: www.competitive.org.ph)
Change in 3
2011 (Out
2010
Years
of 142) (Out of 139) 2010-2014
2014 (Out
of 144)
Change
2013-2014
2013 (Out
of 148)
2012 (Out
of 144)
Singapore
2
0
2
2
2
3
1
Malaysia
20
4
24
25
21
26
6
Thailand
31
6
37
38
39
38
7
Indonesia
34
4
38
50
46
44
10
Philippines
52
7
59
65
75
85
33
Vietnam
68
2
70
75
65
59
-9
Lao PDR
93
-12
81
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Combodia
95
-7
88
85
97
109
14
Myanmar
134
5
139
n/a
n/a
n/a
n/a
Brunei
Darussalam
n/a
n/a
26
28
28
28
n/a
Country/Economy
* Brunei Darussalam is not included in the 2014 Ranking
WEF-GLOBAL COMPETITIVENESS REPORT
PHILIPPINES RANKINGS (2010-2014)
(2014)
OF 144
CHANGE
2013-2014
(2013)
OF 148
(2011)
OF 142
(2010)
OF 139)
CHANGE
2010-2014
OVER-ALL RANKING
52
7
59
65
75
85
33
1st pillar: Institutions
67
12
79
94
117
125
58
2nd pillar: Infrastructure
91
5
96
98
105
104
13
3rd pillar: Macroeconomic environment
26
14
40
36
54
68
42
4th pillar: Health and primary education
92
4
96
98
92
90
-2
5th pillar: Higher education and training
64
3
67
64
71
73
9
6th pillar: Goods market eﬃciency
70
12
82
86
88
97
27
7th pillar: Labor market eﬃciency
91
9
100
103
113
111
20
8th pillar: Financial market development
49
-1
48
58
71
75
26
9th pillar: Technological readiness
69
8
77
79
83
95
26
10th pillar: Market size
35
-2
33
35
36
37
2
11th pillar: Business sophistication
46
3
49
49
57
60
14
12th pillar: Innovation
52
17
69
94
108
111
59
INDICATORS
(2012)
OF 144
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The crème de la crème
of Pinoys in Qatar
Ailyn Agonia
G
doha
iven the exciting developments
taking place in Qatar, Filipino
professionals are among the best
talents in the world who chose to
come to Qatar and contribute to its
development.
The Filipino community in Qatar has
been blessed with personalities, who, with
their innate leadership skills and vision,
are able to influence Filipinos in Diaspora
here.
Below are some of the kabayans respected both for their professional successes as also for contributions to community groups.
Lyndon M. Magsino,
Senior Manager for Enterprise Risk Services
(Middle East)
Deloitte & Touche
Layla Bernal
me means seeing opportunities in difficulties,” Lyndon said talking about the
strengths of Filipinos in his profession.
Being a law-abiding OFW, becoming
financially secure, keen on preparing for
the future, including life after working
abroad, and performing an assigned task
with the goal of achieving excellence, are
ingredients for the success recipe for Filipinos overseas.
Layla Bernal
General Manager/ Owner of La Diva Quafier
Beauty Center
Managing Director/ Part owner of EVE
House of Catering and Events
Lyndon M Magsino
The 34-year old native of Batangas
holds a Certified Public Accountant (CPA)
qualification both in the Philippines and
the US. He is also a former Board of Governor in Treasury & Finance of the Global Institute of Internal Auditors- Qatar
Chapter. He is a visiting lecturer of the
Banking and Finance Programme in Qatar University (QU) as an initiative of
Junior Achievement Worldwide in cooperation with Injaz Qatar.
Besides his thriving professional
career, Lyndon is also one of the most
prominent figures in the community. He
is the founder of the Philippine Institute
of CPAs (Qatar Chapter) and founder and
vice-chairman of the Philippine Business
Council-Qatar. He was also behind the
formation of the Philippine Professional
Organization in Qatar, a cluster of Filipino professional organisations under the
auspices of the Philippine Embassy Doha.
“The level of knowledge of most Filipinos in my line of expertise can compete
globally with other nationalities. However, the unique attribute of Filipinos is
their “perseverance” which is also one of
my greatest strengths. Perseverance for
‘My greatest achievement in life is being able to manage my time with my family and business. Not all people can juggle
several tasks the way I do,’ said 38-year
old entrepreneur Layla.
Originally from Caloocan City, Layla
takes pride in running two of the most
successful Filipino business ventures in
the country. But more than her professional success, she highlights more her
personal triumphs as a wife and mother.
“Know your priorities in life. I believe
that family comes first. Your business is
your second home. Time management is
important. I always make sure that I attend
to household chores in the morning, while
my children are at school and to be at home
before my husband arrives. I am thankful
to my husband for supporting me. Without
his support I would not have been able to
achieve a lot in my ventures,” she said.
This lady boss believes that a lot of
Filipinos thrive in the field of business
because of two main qualities: being very
passionate and goal-oriented.
“Indeed, it’s not easy to start a business in Qatar but anyone who dreams to
do so, should try hard and never back
away from challenges that come along.
Stay positive but know your limits with
regard to financial concerns. Refrain
from getting a loan just to start a business. Save up and then pursue your
dream business,” she added.
the full support of his Qatari sponsors,
who are fond of the sport and believers of
his abilities.
“It’s about practising your skills and
trying to be better. Filipinos, who are
into this sport and are good at it, should
pursue it. These days, there are more opportunities for 9-ball professionals, which
makes it ideal to pursue as a career. Competing in international events is also a big
help for me in gaining self-confidence,
which is very important as a sportsman,”
was Gabica’s advice to his countrymen
who aspire towards a career in sport.
Early this year, Gabica was among the
12 former national athletes honoured by
the Phiippine Sports Commission (PSC)
under Republic Act 9064 or the Sports
Incentives Act.
Paterno ‘Pat’ Carido
Senior Creative Designer
Community leader/ Founder and President
of Pinoy Basketball of Qatar (Pibaq)
Analyn ‘Annie’ Barcelona Esmer,
CEO, Doha Trendsetter Co. W.L.L
DT Talents & Events
Qdeals
Annie is the founder and president of
the United Filipino Entrepreneurs in Qatar (UFEQ) and one of the officials of the
United Filipino Organizations in Qatar
(UFOQ).
The 37-year old entrepreneur from
Baliuag, Bulacan, is a resident of Qatar
for more than five years. She has been
successful in different business ventures
targeting both the Filipino market and
other nationalities.
In the retail industry, her firm Doha
Trendsetters Co WLL brought to Qatar
some of the in-demand brands from the
Philippines. Into event-management,
she has organised some of the biggest
and most successful Filipino community
events in the country.
“Believe in yourself and your abilities.
Love what you do and devote time and
Antonio O Gabica
dedication to your projects, be they small
or big. Always give your best effort, as the
end result reflects your professional ethics
and personal values,” Annie said on her
motivation as a successful entrepreneur.
She also suggests to those who would
like to start a career in business to create
a project study first - taking into account
the business location, legal matters, manpower and starting capital. “Make sure
you are ready to devote full time and dedication to your new business. Be a handson business owner,” she added.
Antonio O. Gabica
Asian Games gold medalist
Trainer of Qatar’s billiards national team
The 42 year old native of Cebu has
been working with Qatar’s national team
as trainer for six years. His exemplary performance in representing the Philippines
during the 15th Asian Games held in Doha
in 2006 opened the doors of opportunity
for the Gabica family here in Qatar. Since
moving to Doha, he has been competing
in various international tournaments with
Pat Carido
Annie Barcelona Esmer (centre) with her family.
The 41-year old native of Bicol has
gained the admiration of his compatriots
for his ardent vision of promoting Filipino basketball in Qatar. Basketball is the
number one sport in the Philippines.
Being a resident of Qatar for 20 years,
Pat has emerged as one of the pillars of his
community with Pibaq’s active involvement in contributing to the growth of the
community members especially the Filipino youth.
“With the growing popularity of the
group not only in Qatar but across GCC,
we aspire to continue to bring to Qatar
quality basketball programmes through
the assistance of Qatar Basketball Federation (QBF). Since the inception of Pibaq,
I believe the group has proven its commitment to the community in promoting
basketball as well as in representing Qatar in various Filipino basketball leagues
in the region. It brings me joy to be able to
serve our community through the Pibaq
programmes. I am happy to provide quality entertainment to Filipino expats and
families. I look forward to being involved
in more projects such as bringing a regular PBA game to Qatar, featuring the best
teams back home,” Pat said.
M
The Philippines - an emerging
tourism star in the East
any of the Philippines’ 17
regions are as diverse as
the customs and landscapes that define them,
from the thrill and bustle of Manila to
the majestic Mayon Volcano of Bicol.
And with the country’s international
and domestic tourism swelling during
peak tourist season, the good word is
spreading wide and fast.
The idyllic settings and warmth of
the people have made the Philippines
traditionally one of the most popular
holiday destinations for visitors from
the Asean states, but the number of
tourists from further abroad is increasing year by year, many of whom
are attracted by the prospect of some
of the best diving in the world.
Whether travelling on a budget
break or five star luxury, the Philippines’ reputation as a must-see destination is growing. While the number
of tourists from Korea, China and Japan has always been significant, there
are now dramatic rises in visitors from
Australia, Singapore, the USA and UK.
But some of the most noticeable increases have been from Saudi Arabia
with a 30 percent growth, the UAE
with 20 percent and India with an extra 12.5 percent in 2013.
Helping to boost the sector even
more, the Philippines’ largest airline,
Cebu Pacific Air continues to boost
its network. With the most extensive
network in the country, Cebu Pacific
is the fastest way to get to the Philippines’ unique marine attractions
and festive islands. CEB passengers
use the new Manila Airport Terminal
3, making it possible to go from the
airline’s non-stop twice weekly Doha-Manila flights, to other Philippine
destinations.
“Tourism is essential to the Philippines’ economy. As the largest Philippine carrier, we are happy to play
a part in flying tourists on the most
extensive Philippine network there is,
so they can explore this fun and welcoming country. With Cebu Pacific’s
trademark lowest fares from Doha to
Manila and beyond, visitors can spend
more and stay longer in their destina-
tions, for the best-value, quality experience,” said Cebu Pacific Air General
Manager for Long-Haul Alex Reyes.
The Philippines’ largest carrier,
Cebu Pacific Air, has recently launched
its non-stop flights between Manila
and Doha. It offers twice weekly non-
stop flights between the two cities for
as low as QAR688. Cebu Pacific Air’s
newest Airbus A330 service offers Ceb
Air Wi-Fi, hot meals and the fastest
connectivity to or from any Philippine
destination.
With more than 7,000 sand-strewn
tropical islands set among the clear
blue waters of the Pacific Ocean, the
Philippines has become a magnet for
sun worshippers and scuba divers and
a haven of relaxation in one of Asia’s
most welcoming cultures.
(PR.)
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Continuing to flex
muscles on sports scene
M
anny ‘Pacman’ Pacquiao - with his
recent high-profile and controversial
bout against undefeated American
boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr – has
once again put the spotlight on Filipino athletes.
While ‘the people’s champ’ has been doing a great job in being the ‘ambassador’ of
the Philippines in the international sport
arena, it is noteworthy that beyond boxing,
the Southeast Asian country is also well-represented in other disciplines.
Philippine ‘Volcanoes’
The Philippine national rugby union team
nicknamed the ‘Volcanoes’ has clinched the
men’s rugby sevens gold at the 2015 Southeast Asian Games hosted in Singapore. They
defeated Malaysia in the finals to maintain
their unbeaten record in the tournament.
Rugby is not a widely popular sport in the
Philippines compared to basketball, boxing
and billiards. Yet the Volcanoes are gradually
increasing its popularity among Pinoys with
their international exposure and successes.
Among the team’s top bets is Oliver Saunders, a former rugby league footballer with
Norths in the Jersey Flegg Cup. He is one of
the leading try-scores in the Philippine team.
The emblem of the team is based on the
insignia of the 1st Filipino Infantry Regiment.
One of its features is a volcano, which represents where the infantry units were located.
(source:www.worldrugby.org)
Kobe Paras
Seventeen-year old Kobe Paras, who last year
accepted the offer to play for the University of
California Los
Angeles (UCLA) in the US NCAA Division I,
retained his FIBA 3x3 U18 World Championships dunk contest title in Debrecen, Hungary.
The 6-foot-5 guard in the high school basketball of Cathedral High School in Los Angeles
once again proudly represented his home country in the slam dunk showdown against Mark
Boros of Hungary, Agustin Da Costa of Urugual
and Jalek Felton of the US. Kobe, the son of one
of Philippine professional basketball’s greatest
Benjie Paras, first won the title in 2013.
(source: www.collegebasketballtalk.
nbcsports.com)
Michael Christian Martinez
Philippine Dragon Boat Team and
Philippine Canoe Kayak
Chezka Centeno
Proving the growing popularity of dragonboat racing in the Philippines, the country’s
dragon-boat teams have been performing
well in various tournaments.
Last year, the nation’s paddlers took
home five gold medals, three silvers and three
bronzes from the ICF Dragon Boat World
Championships held in Poznan, Poland.
The Philippine delegation was considered
first-time paddlers for a World Championship and had to endure the unfamiliar cold
weather compared to the tropical weather
they trained in back home.
Meanwhile at the 2015 Southeast Asian
Games hosted in Singapore, it was the Philippine Canoe Kayak that represented the Philippine national team under Philippine Olympic Committee.
(source: www.mb.com.ph)
The two-time Triglav Trophy champion has
won a ISU Challenger Series medal, silver at
the 2014 Warsaw Cup. Martinez is the first
skater from Southeast Asia and figure skater
from the tropical zone to qualify for the Olympics and the only athlete to represent the
Philippines at the 2014 Winter Olympics.
In November 2014, Martinez competed at
the CS Warsaw Cup, where he won the silver medal behind Russia's Alexander Petrov.
Martinez posted new personal best scores
with a total of 213.38 points.
The teenage sensation won the All-Filipina
final of the women’s 9-ball pool singles, besting compatriot Rubilen Amit 7-5 to claim the
Philippines’s ninth gold medal in the 2015
Southeast Asian Games held in Singapore recently. Centeno, half the age of her idol Amit,
became the youngest ever billiards player to
win the gold medal at the biennial meet.
(source: www.gmanetwork.com)
While ‘the people’s champ’
has been doing a great job
in being the ‘ambassador’
of the Philippines in the
international sport arena,
it is noteworthy that
beyond boxing, the
Southeast Asian country
is also well-represented
in other disciplines
117
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Historical Perspective of the
Philippine Educational System
The K-12 programme
E
ducation in the Philippines is given utmost importance
and is in fact, considered an investment by every Filipino
family. Children are obliged to attend school from an early
age. With the introduction of the K-12 programme, two years are
added to the basic education before a student can proceed into
higher education.
Education in the Philippines changed radically after the liberation of the Philippines in 1946. Elementary and high school
education became compulsory, and are overseen by the Department of Education which deals with issues such as the assurance
of funding for school services and equipment, recruitment of
teachers for all public schools, and the supervising and organisation of the education curricula.
Education funding decreased after the economic crisis of 2008
following the conditions imposed by different sponsoring agencies. Class sizes increased and teachers are teaching more classes
per week. School infrastructural development programmes and
teachers’ salaries have yet to be affected.
For the implementation of the K-12 basic education programme in all Philippine schools, Education Secretary Armin Luistro said they would have to end all their backlogs: hiring 61,000
new teachers, and the building and construction of 66,000 more
classrooms. K-12 is now on its third year of implementation.
E
ducation in the Philippines has undergone several stages of development
from the pre-Spanish times
to the present. In meeting
the needs of the society, education serves as a focus of emphasis/priorities of the leadership at
certain periods in the national
struggle as a race.
As early as in pre-Magellanic
times, education was informal,
unstructured, and devoid of
methods. Children were provided
more vocational training and less
academics (3 Rs) by their parents
and in the houses of tribal tutors.
The pre-Spanish system of education underwent major changes
during the Spanish colonisation.
The tribal tutors were replaced by
the Spanish Missionaries. Education was religion-oriented. It was
for the elite, especially in the early
years of Spanish colonisation. Access to education for the Filipinos
was later liberalised through the
enactment of the Educational Decree of 1863
which provided for the
establishment of at
least one primary
school for boys and girls in each
town under the responsibility of
the municipal government; and
the establishment of a normal
school for male teachers under
the supervision of the Jesuits.
Primary instruction was free
and the teaching of Spanish was
compulsory. Education during
that period was inadequate, suppressed, and controlled.
The defeat of Spain by American forces paved the way for
Aguinaldo’s Republic under a
Revolutionary Government. The
schools maintained by Spain for
more than three centuries were
closed for the time being but were
reopened on August 29, 1898 by
the Secretary of Interior. The Burgos Institute in Malolos, the Military Academy of Malolos, and the
Literary University of the Philippines were established. A system
of free and compulsory elementary education was established by
the Malolos Constitution.
An adequate secularised and
free public school system during
the first decade of American rule
was established upon the recommendation of the Schurman
Commission. Free primary instruction that trained the people
for the duties of citizenship and
avocation was enforced by the
Taft Commission per instructions
of President McKinley. Chaplains
and non-commissioned officers
were assigned to teach using English as the medium of instruction.
A highly centralised public
school system was installed in
1901 by the Philippine Commission by virtue of Act No. 74. The
implementation of this Act created a heavy shortage of teachers
so the Philippine Commission
authorised the Secretary of Public
Instruction to bring to the Philippines 600 teachers from the USA.
They were the Thomasites.
The high school system supported by provincial governments, special educational institutions, school of arts and trades,
an agricultural school, and commerce and marine institutes were
established in 1902 by the Philippine Commission. In 1908, the
Philippine Legislature approved
Act No. 1870 which created the
University of the Philippines.
The Reorganization Act of 1916
provided the Filipinisation of all
department secretaries except the
Secretary of Public Instruction.
Japanese educational policies
were embodied in Military Order
No. 2 in 1942. The Philippine Executive Commission established
the Commission of Education,
Health and Public Welfare and
schools were reopened in June
1942. On October 14, 1943, the
Japanese - sponsored Republic
created the Ministry of Education. Under the Japanese regime,
the teaching of Tagalog, Philippine History, and Character Education was reserved for Filipinos.
Love for work and dignity of labor
was emphasised. On February 27,
1945, the Department of Instruction was made part of the Department of Public Instruction.
In 1947, by virtue of Executive
Order No. 94, the Department of
Instruction was changed to Department of Education. During
this period, the regulation and
supervision of public and private
schools belonged to the Bureau of
Public and Private Schools.
In 1972, it became the Department of Education and Culture
by virtue of Proclamation 1081
and the Ministry of Education
and Culture in 1978 y virtue of
P.D. No. 1397. Thirteen regional
offices were created and major
organizational changes were implemented in the educational system.
The Education Act of 1982 created the Ministry of Education,
Culture and Sports which later
became the Department of Education, Culture and Sports in 1987 by
virtue of Executive Order No. 117.
The structure of DECS as embodied in EO No. 117 has practically
remained unchanged until 1994
when the Commission on Higher
Education (CHED), and 1995 when
the Technical Education and Skills
Development Authority (TESDA)
were established to supervise tertiary degree programmes and nondegree technical-vocational programmes, respectively.
The Congressional Commission on Education (EDCOM)
report provided the impetus for
Congress to pass RA 7722 and RA
turn to page 15 
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 Continued from page 14 
7796 in 1994 creating the Commission on Higher Education
(CHED) and the Technical Education and Skills Development
Authority (TESDA), respectively.
The trifocal education system refocused DECS’ mandate
to basic education which covers elementary, secondary and
nonformal education, including
culture and sports. TESDA now
administers the post-secondary,
middle-level manpower training
and development while CHED is
responsible for higher education.
In August 2001, Republic
Act 9155, otherwise called the
Governance of Basic Education
Act, was passed transforming
the name of the Department of
Education, Culture and Sports
(DECS) to the Department of Education (DepEd) and redefining
the role of field offices (regional
offices, division offices, district
offices and schools). RA 9155 provides the overall framework for
(i) school head empowerment by
strengthening their leadership
roles and (ii) school-based man-
T
agement within the context of
transparency and local accountability. The goal of basic education is to provide the school age
population and young adults with
skills, knowledge, and values to
become caring, self-reliant, productive and patriotic citizens.
DepEd Management
Structure
To carry out its mandate and
objectives, the Department is organised into two major structural
components. The Central Office
maintains the overall administration of basic education at the national level. The Field Offices are
responsible for the regional and
local coordination and administration of the Department’s mandate. RA 9155 provides that the
Department should have no more
than four Undersecretaries and
four Assistant Secretaries with at
least one Undersecretary and one
Assistant Secretary who are career
service officers chosen among the
staff of the Department. (See DepEd Organizational Chart.)
At present, the Department
operates with four Undersecretar-
ies in the areas of: (1) Programmes
and Projects; (2) Regional Operations; (3) Finance and Administration; and (4) Legal Affairs; four
Assistant Secretaries in the areas
of: (1) Programmes and Projects;
(2) Planning and Development;
(3) Budget and Financial Affairs;
and (4) Legal Affairs.
Backstopping the Office of the
Secretary at the Central Office are
the different services, bureaus and
centers. The five services are the
Administrative Service, Financial
and Management Service, Human
Resource Development Service,
Planning Service, and Technical
Service. Three staff bureaus provide assistance in formulating policies, standards, and programmes
related to curriculum and staff development. These are the Bureau
of Elementary Education (BEE),
Bureau of Secondary Education
(BSE), and the Bureau of Nonformal Education (BNFE). By virtue
of Executive Order No. 81 series of
1999, the functions of a fourth bureau, the Bureau of Physical Education and School Sports (BPESS),
were absorbed by the Philippine
Sports Commission (PSC) last August 25, 1999.
Six centres or units attached
to the Department similarly provide technical and administrative
support towards the realisation
of the Department’s vision. These
are the National Education Testing and Research Center (NETRC), Health and Nutrition Center
(HNC), National Educators Academy of the Philippines (NEAP),
Educational Development Projects
Implementing Task Force (EDPITAF), National Science Teaching
Instrumentation Center (NSTIC),
and Instructional Materials Council Secretariat (IMCS). There are
four special offices under OSEC:
the Adopt-a-School Program Secretariat, Center for Students and
Co-curricular Affairs, Educational
Technology Unit, and the Task
Force Engineering Assessment and
Monitoring.
(Source: www.deped.gov.ph)
agriculture after disaster
tural and livestock inputs.
ens of thousands of farmers are bringing in
their first rice harvest just six months after
one of the worst typhoons to ever hit the Philippines left their fields in tatters and their
livelihoods at risk th FAO has announced.
After Typhoon Haiyan hit the central Philippines on 8 November, 2013, the situation was
dire. More than 6,000 people lost their lives,
while some 600,000 hectares of farmland were
destroyed, leaving millions of people without a
source of income and threatening food security.
“When I saw the extent of the destruction
and damage caused by the high winds and storm
surge, I thought the situation was hopeless,” said
rice farmer Lisa Canaber from Leyte Province,
one of the worst-affected areas.
However, thanks to an immediate response
by the international community, the Department
of Agriculture and FAO were able to assist tens
of thousands of rice farmers quickly restore and
replant their devastated fields in the wake of the
disaster, working closely with the national government at all levels.
Seeds of recovery, a harvest of hope
Within weeks of the disaster, FAO, the Department of Agriculture and their partners began distributing certified rice seeds to severely affected
farmers, reaching 44 000 families in time for the
December/January planting season.
Some have already gathered their crops. And
as a result of the timely provision of certified
rice seed, complemented by urea fertilizer, many
farmers are already seeing much higher yields
than normal.
This will supply them not only with food for
family consumption, but also with seed for the
next planting season as well as surplus rice that
they can sell to boost their household incomes.
“Had I not received the certified rice seed to
plant in time for the December/January season,
I would have needed to rely on external food aid
for almost a whole year,” said Carmen Cinco, who
also farms in Leyte Province. “I am hopeful now.
We are on the way to recovery.”
FAO also provided 13,000 farm tools and over
4,500 tonnes of fertilizer to 80,000 affected families. Now rice farmers are reaping the benefits of
what is, for them, a first and critical step on the
road to recovery.
Alternative livelihoods for coconut farmers
In addition to extensive damage to rice farming,
some 33 million coconut trees were damaged or
destroyed by Haiyan, affecting the livelihoods of
more than one million coconut farmers. Given
that coconut trees take six to eight years to become productive again, small-scale coconut farmers needed interim support in finding alternative
sources of income -- most relied solely on coconut
trees for their livelihoods. After having consulted local communities, and
in close collaboration with the Department of Agriculture, Department of Agrarian Reform, Philippine Coconut Authority, Bureau of Animal Industries and other relevant government institutions,
FAO is aiming to help about 30,000 small-scale
coconut farmers by providing vegetable seeds,
farm tools, post-harvest equipment and livestock
such as water buffaloes, goats, pigs and poultry. “I need seeds, so I can sell vegetables at the
market,” Rosalia Garredo, a rice and coconut tree
farmer from Leyte Province, said. “This and poultry raising as an alternative livelihood will help
me be independent until my trees are productive
Fisheries sector also on the mend
Additionally, the storm destroyed the assets of a
large number of fishers, ranging from fishing boats
and gear to aquaculture ponds to onshore facilities. An estimated 30,000 boats were damaged,
with some 10,000 completely lost or destroyed. In developing and implementing recovery
projects, FAO is ensuring that pre-typhoon fishing capacities are not exceeded; that fishers will
receive selective, non-destructive fishing gear;
input support; and technical guidance in responsible practices. About 17,000 small-scale fishing
families will benefit.
Beyond recovery, FAO is looking to enhance
the resilience and capacity of fishing communities’ to cope with future natural disasters.
Global support
again.”
The goal is to diversify smallholder farmers’
livelihoods, thereby increasing their resilience to
future disasters.
The typhoon also severely damaged coastal
mangroves ecosystems which play an important
role in local food security. FAO, in collaboration
with the Forest Management Bureau of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources,
plans to support the rehabilitation of agroforestry
systems and mangroves forests and assist nearly
5 000 vulnerable farmers with required agricul-
FAO’s typhoon Haiyan recovery work to date has
been supported by the UN Central Emergency Fund
(CERF), the Humanitarian Aid and Civil Protection
Department of the European Commission (ECHO)
and the Governments of Belgium, Canada, Finland,
Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Norway, Switzerland and the United Kingdom.
(Source: Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations)
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Why Choose
the philippines
With its 7,107
islands around the
country’s main
geographical
divisions Luzon,
Visayas and
Mindanao, the
choices are endless
for any curious traveller.
W
hether looking for an ideal destination to relax, or seeking new
adventures and a new vacation
spot or just wanting to discover
and immerse into a new culture,
the Philippines is one of the best countries
to consider.
With its 7,107 islands around the country’s main geographical divisions Luzon,
Visayas and Mindanao, the choices are
endless for any curious traveller.
Here are some the Philippines’ tourism
pride highlighted in the country’s official
tourism online portal www.itsmorefuninthephilippines.com:
Rizal Park
EXPERIENCE LUZON
■ Manila
The city center of the Philippines and the
country’s capital of fun! When in Manila,
tour Rizal Park also known as Luneta,
the most important shrine in the country
or drop by the country’s first hotel, the
Manila Hotel, where some famous personalities like The Beatles once stayed. Ride
a calesa (horse drawn carriage) to better
explore the historic streets of Binondo,
where the Philippines’ Chinatown (said
to be the oldest Chinese settlement in the
world) is located, and Ermita. Visit Casa
Manila, a lifestyle museum replicated
from an 1800’s home where the guards
and the owners are dressed in period
costumes, and the Unesco World Heritage Site San Agustin Church and the San
Agustin Museum. At night, party your way
through the clubs and pubs of Malate.
■ Baguio
Known in history as the vacation spot of
the Americans in 1900s, the city is one of
the most famous cities in the Philippines
even among locals. It has been celebrated
Baguio
as the Summer Capital of the country for
the past 99 years. Stroll down Session
Road and shop in an ‘ukay-ukay’ (thrift
shop). Baguio is also a haven for local
crafts such as native backpacks, baskets
and the famous barrel man. Visit TamAwan Village to see replicas of native
cogon-thatched homes and a chance to
meet local artists. Don’t forget to hangout
at Burnham Park, Camp John Hay and
Mines View Park to complete your stay
in this place famously referred to as ‘The
City of Pines’.
■ Ilocos Norte
Being a coastal province, different colors
of sand can be found here — the blackest
of black in Laoag, the brown sands in Currimao, the white sands in Pagudpud. Some
parts in Pagudpud are also lined with a
rocky shore. Other world-famous sights
such Paoay and Vigan are less than an
hour’s journey away from Ilocos Norte’s
capital. Paoay is home to Unesco World
Heritage Site Paoay Church and the City
of Vigan was recently recognised as one
of the New7Wonders Cities together with
Beirut (Lebanon), Doha (Qatar), Durban
(South Africa), Havana (Cuba), Kuala
Lumpur (Malaysia) and La Paz (Bolivia). Ilocos Norte is also famous for its distinct type of Filipino cuisine. A few of the
dishes you shouldn’t miss are pinakbet and
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Bohol
VISIT VISAYAS
■ Bohol
See the famous hills that look like
perfect mounds of chocolate, thus the
name Chocolate Hills. Be up close and
personal with one of the smallest primates in the world, the Philippine tarsier. Drift down the Loboc Rivera where
you can feast on a delicious Filipino
buffet while serenaded by the local
community. Zipline and open-air
cable car ride are just among the
tons of adventures awaiting
the visitors of the Loboc Ecotourism Adventure Park.
■ Boracay
Named by Travel+ Leisure Magazine as its
Best Overall Island
of 2012. It is famous
for its White Beach
—a four kilometres of
white, powdery fine
sand dotted with resorts, shops, and restaurants. This ‘paradise
island’ has around 25
dive sites that cater to all
levels of experience. You
can go parasailing. Take
outrigger
a paraw (native
boat) for a tour of the island. Go
waterskiing. Or cliff diving. And
because Boracay gets tourists from
different parts of the globe, the gastronomic adventure is endless. Here
you can feast on Chinese, Indian,
American, Mexican, French, Italian,
Swiss —even Moroccan food!
■ Cebu
This famous city known as the Queen
City of the South is the first Spanish
settlement in the Philippines. It has
some of the country’s most iconic heritage spots including the Magellan’s
Cross which commemorates the moment Portuguese explorer Ferdinand
Magellan planted a wooden cross on
Cebu’s soil to mark converting its locals to Christianity, the Basilica del
Santo Niño which houses one of the
country’s oldest religious relics that
dates back to 1521, the Yap-San Diego Ancestral House which gives a
glimpse into residential life in Cebu
during the Spanish era and the Museo
Sugbo which showcases the province’s
history. Cebu is also a luxury paradise
with the presence of high-end brands
Boracay
including Shangri-La Mactan, Marco
Polo Plaza Cebu and Cebu Waterfront
Hotel & Casino. Cebu is also the home
of the famous Sinulog Festival, a wild,
colorful street party attracting revelers from around the Philippines and
the world.
DISCOVER MINDANAO
■ Cagayan de Oro
Known as the ‘Gateway to Northern
Mindanao’ and the ‘City of Golden Friendship’. Cagayan de Oro’s
much talked-about whitewater rafting and river trekking makes it the
premier whitewater destination in the
country. The Cagayan de Oro River is
famed for challenging rapids. Visit
Jatico Adventures for a five-course zipline, ATV rides and hiking trails or
the Mapawa Nature Park for its waterfalls, trekking and rappelling.
■ Camiguin
It is the second smallest island of the
Philippines in both area and population but within this small area lie
seven volcanoes. Camiguin is best
known for lanzones fruit, a sweet
fruit about the size of a grape, with
light brown skin and translucent
flesh. Its harvest is heralded by the
weeklong Lanzones
Festival every
October. What keeps the visitors
coming to Camiguin are its natural
attractions including White Island,
a sandbar, and Mantigue Island,
a smaller island off the shores of
Camiguin which are great for swimming, snorkeling, and diving
and the waterfalls Katibawasan Falls or the more
remote Tuawasan Falls.
Also popular is the
Santo Nino Cold
Spring which offers
waters at 20 degrees Celsius and
the Ardent Hot
Spring for its 40
degree Celsius
waters
heated
by Mt. HibokHibok, an active
volcano. It is the
place to visit for
avid hikers and
mountaineers.
■ Puerto Princesa
Nicknamed ‘the city in a
forest’ for its attractions that
have much to do with its natural wonders and commitment to
the environment. It has been named
the Philippines’ cleaners and greenest city and has been internationally recognised for environmental
excellence. Puerto Princesa’s pride
is the Puerto Princesa Subterranean
River (or Underground River), a
Unesco World Heritage Site and one
of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
The 8.2-kilometre river, said to be
the longest navigable underground
river in the world, winds its way underneath a mountain range, through
the St Paul Underground River Cave,
and then goes out into the South
China Sea. The entire area where the
Underground River is located is actually a national park and a model
of biodiversity. More than 800 plant
species, including almost 300 trees,
195 bird species, 30 mammals,
19 reptiles, and eight bat species call this area home. Island
hopping is one of the biggest draws of
Puerto Princesa.
Ilocos Norte
Cagayan de Oro
Camiguin
117
th
na ng Bayan
O
Philippine initiatives to address
Environmental Issues
ne of the earliest notable
recognition by the Philippine government taking
into consideration the environment, was set out in
the 1987 Constitution which stipulates that “The State shall protect and advance the right of the
people to a balanced and healthful ecology in accord with the
rhythm and harmony of nature.”
In 1991, the Philippines began
to address the issue of climate
change in its thrust to achieve
sustainable development with
the formulation of the Philippine
Strategy for Sustainable Development. As a result, the country
officially adopted the Philippine
Agenda 21 which serves as the
nation’s blueprint for sustainable development. During the
same year, government agencies and the Philippine Network
on Climate Change were convened to create the Inter-Agency
Committee on Climate Change
(IACCC) led by the Environmental Management Bureau of the
Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR). The
Committee aimed at harnessing and synergising the various
activities undertaken by the national government and civil society in response to the crisis posed
by growing problem on climate
change.
The Philippine commitment
to address global environmental
issues was further manifested
by its support to the United Nations Framework Convention on
Climate Change (UNFCCC) ratified on August 2, 1994 and the
Kyoto Protocol, which was ratified on November 20, 2003. As
a signatory to the UNFCCC, the
Philippines expressed adherence
to the principles of sustainable
development and environmental
preservation based on the notion
of equity and the unique capabilities of the participating countries.
Article 3 of the Convention states
that states who have aligned
themselves with the mandates set
forth “should protect the climate
system for the benefit of present
and future generations of humankind, on the basis of equity and
in accordance with their common
but differentiated responsibilities
and respective capabilities.” In
2000, the Philippines forwarded
to the UNFCCC its Initial National Communication which enumerated the accomplishments of
the country in meeting the objectives of the Convention. The
report presented the gains made
in the fields of greenhouse gas
abatement and inventory. Also
noted were significant achievements in strengthening institutions and processes in relation
to the mitigation, prevention and
adaptation initiatives in the country. Further, in adherence to the
Waste management is a serious concern which needs effort not only from the government, but also from the people.
In 1991, the Philippines began to address the issue of
climate change in its thrust
to achieve sustainable development with the formulation
of the Philippine Strategy for
Sustainable Development.
As a result, the country officially adopted the Philippine
Agenda 21 which serves as
the nation’s blueprint for
sustainable development
of 1997) that establishes that the
Department of Agriculture together with other appropriate
agencies, should into account
climate change, weather disturbances and annual productivity cycles in order to forecast and
formulate appropriate agricultural and fisheries programs, RA
Kyoto Protocol, the Philippines
adopted the Clean Development
Mechanism.
Also, the Philippines passed
and implemented national measures that advance the international community’s agenda
pertaining to environmental
preservation. Some of the major legislations enacted were RA
8749 (Clean Air Act of 1999) that
moves for an effective air quality management programme
that will mitigate the worsening
problem of air pollution in the
country, RA 8435 (Agriculture
and Fisheries Modernization Act
Various community-based environment programmes are implemented in different areas of the Philippines.
9003 (Solid Waste Management
Act of 2000) that aimed at providing a comprehensive solution
to the country’s garbage problem
and RA 9275 (Philippine Clean
Water Act of 2004) that moves
for a comprehensive water quality management scheme.
In 2007, Administrative Or-
der 171 was issued to create a
Presidential Task Force on Climate Change (PTFCC). The task
force is mandated to address and
mitigate the impact of climate
change in the Philippines, paying
special attention to adaptation,
mitigation and technological solutions. In particular, the task
force focuses on improving compliance to air emission standards
and acts to combat deforestation
and environmental degradation.
More recently, RA 9729 (Climate Change Act of 2009) which
aims to systematically integrate
the concept of climate change in
the policy formulation and development plans of all government
agencies and units, to the end
that the government will be prepared for the impact of climate
change was enacted also creating
the Philippine Climate Change
Commission (PCCC).
The PCCC, an independent
and autonomous body attached
to the Office of the President,
shall be the sole policy-making
body of the government to coordinate, monitor and evaluate the
programs and action plans relating to climate change. The PCCC
has drafted the National Framework Strategy on Climate Change
2010-2022 which is committed
towards ensuring and strengthening the adaptation of our natural ecosystems and human communities to climate change.
(Source: www.pcw.gov.ph)
T
Philippines aims to boost key
marine biodiversity areas
he Department of Environment and Natural Resources
(DENR) launched a fiveyear initiative that aims to
boost ongoing efforts to protect five of the country’s marine
key biodiversity areas (MKBAs).
The project, called ‘Strengthening the Marine Protected
Areas to Conserve Marine Key
Biodiversity Areas,’ involves the
establishment of a more coordinated approach to conservation efforts in the Verde Island
Passage, the Lanuza Bay in Surigao Del Sur, the Davao Gulf in
Southern Mindanao, the Tanon
Strait Protected Seascape in
Central Visayas and Southern
Palawan.
These MKBAs are among the
richest in the country in terms
of coastal and marine biodiversities and their protection is critical to ensure the fish population
in the Southeast Asian region.
The project is jointly funded
by the DENR, the United Nations Development Program
(UNDP) and the Global Environment Fund.
Implementation will be carried out by the DENR’s Biodiversity Management Bureau
(BMB), in partnership with five
conservation organisations with
extensive experience in coastal
and marine conservation projects in local communities.
The organisations are the
National Fisheries Research and
Development Institute for the
West Sulu Sea Area, Conservation International-Philippines,
Haribon Foundation, World
Wildlife Fund-Philippines, and
RARE-Philippines.
The BMB and its partners
will facilitate the setting up of
a network of marine protected
areas (MPAs) and improve man-
1,620 MPAs created through local ordinances by virtue of the
Fisheries Code of 1998, which
mandates that 15 percent of
coastal waters be set aside as
marine reserves.
The project is also fully consistent with the country’s priorities and policies on biodiversity
conservation, and contributes
to the 2011-2016 Philippines
Development Plan by enhancing coastal and marine resource
management under the national
integrated coastal management
program.
The project also contributes
to the National Plan of Action
for the Coral Triangle Initiative under Executive Order No.
797, particularly on achieving
the goals and targets on MPAs,
climate change adaptation and
ecosystem approach to fisheries
management.
(Source: www.denr.gov.ph)
Fishing and other development
activities in MPAs are restricted
and conservation activities there
are comprehensive as they cover
both the coastal and shoreline
ecosystems.
agement effectiveness of local
communities in these areas.
The project also includes innovative financing mechanisms
to generate revenues needed to
finance conservation activities
in these areas.
Fishing and other development activities in MPAs are restricted and conservation activities there are comprehensive as
they cover both the coastal and
shoreline ecosystems.
The establishment of MPAs
has been proven effective in enabling depleted fish stocks and
helping ecosystems to recover
and replenish.
At present, there
are only 33 MPAs established under Republic Act No. 7586,
otherwise known as
the National Protected
Areas System (NIPAS)
Act of 1992.
The law provides
the legal framework for
the establishment of
MPAs. Although there
are already a total of

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