Posted August 31, 2010

Call for participants to Asia-Europe training course on environmental human rights

TACLOBAN CITY – Applications are now being accepted for the Asia-Europe Training Course on Environmental Human Rights which will be conducted on 9-15 November 2010 in Seoul, Korea.

The training course is being organized by the Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF), the Council of Europe’s (COE) Directorate of Youth and Sport, and the International Workcamp Organization (IWO) Korea.

The training aims to develop participants’ understanding and competence in the areas of non-formal education, youth work and environmental human rights.

It also hopes to discuss understanding of human rights, environmental human rights and the role of youth work and non-formal education in promoting them.

The training also aims to share youth work practices and responses, based on human rights education, in the participants’ countries and organizations; and to explore and prepare for follow-up initiatives and projects among participants in the field of environmental human rights and human rights education.

Those interested in applying to take part in the training course should fill in their application on-line at: http://youthapplications.coe.int before 9 September 2010.

Applicants must also upload an updated CV, a photo and a recommendation letter from their organization stating its interest in the training and Asia-Europe youth cooperation online.

Applicants are requested not to make any travel arrangements until they receive an official confirmation from the organizers. Only selected candidates will be informed at most by 22 September.

For further enquiries, you can contact Mr Rob van Leeuwen, ASEF Project Officer, through email (rob.vanleeuwen@asef.org).  (PIA 8)

Posted August 20, 2010

CSC now accepts applications for Civil Service exams

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Civil Service Commission, Leyte Field Office headed by Director Rowin P. Riños is now accepting applications (CS Form No. 100-E Revised 2008) for the Career Service Professional / Sub-Professional Examinations which will be held on October 17, 2010 at the Leyte Normal University (LNU) and Eastern Visayas State University (EVSU) of Tacloban City.

Relative to this, CSC is requiring all applicants to submit 4 pcs passport size (1½ x 2) photo taken within three (3) months with full nametag. Pictures which are scanned, computer generated, enhanced, photocopied, cutout, and without nametag will not be accepted.

Another requirement is the submission of a valid identification card with a back to back xerox copy and an examination fee of Three Hundred Fifty Pesos (P350.00). The deadline for the submission of application is on September 1, 2010.

For more details, the Civil Service Commission, Leyte Field Office at Trece Martires St., welcomes any queries from walk-in clients or one may call (053) 321-8212 or (053) 523-0810.  (Marivic A. Alcober / PIA-8)

Posted August 12, 2010

Nominations open for Red Cross Award for Humanitarian Reporting 2011

MANILA (August 12, 2010)  –  The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in partnership with the Philippine Red Cross (PRC), launched today its first journalism award to recognize stories that best illustrate the humanitarian consequences of armed conflicts.

Titled "Red Cross Award for Humanitarian Reporting 2011," the competition is open to all print/online, television and radio journalists who have published or aired insightful news reports, features or documentaries on the armed-conflict situation in the Philippines.

"Today is a very special day for us because apart from marking international humanitarian law (IHL) day, we are launching a competition that will honor journalists who serve as the voice of civilians affected by these clashes," said Anastasia Isyuk, ICRC communication coordinator.

Nominations for the contest were opened today as the ICRC held a one-day workshop on IHL and reporting of conflict for about 30 journalists based in the Davao region.

The ICRC is an independent humanitarian organisation that aims to protect and assist victims of armed conflicts, without discrimination. In the Philippines, it coordinates with the PRC, its operational partner, in providing help to those affected by situations of violence.

In support of the project are the International News Safety Institute (INSI), Peace and Conflict Journalism Network-Philippines (Pecojon Phils.), Philippine Association of Communication Educators (PACE) and Rotary Club of Manila (RCM). All six organizations will be represented in the judging panels for the three categories.

Entries for the contest, which should highlight the consequences of armed conflict, must be sent to one of the following PACE member-schools: Central Luzon State University in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija (Northern/Central Luzon), St. Scholastica's College Manila (NCR/Southern Luzon), Cebu Technological University in Cebu City (Visayas), Xavier University in Cagayan de Oro City (Mindanao).

Deadline for nominations is on 12 March 2011. Out of 32 finalists, the judges will select the awardees whose names will be announced on 8 May 2011, Red Cross Day.

Winners of the "Red Cross Award for Humanitarian Reporting" will be given various prizes including plaques, digital recorders, books, and the chance to receive trainings on IHL and conflict reporting.

"We hope this award will generate more interest in humanitarian reporting, and stir more journalists in tackling the many serious issues that surround the armed-conflict situation in the Philippines," said Alexander Rosete, PRC officer-in-charge of communication.

The partner-organizations will be represented by Victor Redmond Batario, INSI consultant for Asia-Pacific; Charlie Saceda, Pecojon Philippines project head; Flordeliz Abanto, PACE president; and former Press Secretary Rod Reyes, journalism awards chair of Rotary Club of Manila.

For more details on the award, please contact: Allison Lopez, ICRC communication officer, 0908-8686884, E-mail redcrossawardph@gmail.com (for queries only) or visit www.icrc.org

Posted August 12, 2010

PCA conducts 3rd EV Regional Coco Summit on Sept 2-3

TACLOBAN CITY  –  Philippine Coconut Authority Region 8 Manager Edilberto Nierva informed the conduct of the 3rd Eastern Visayas Regional Coco Summit on September 2-3, at the Leyte Park Hotel.

This was made possible by the all out support of An Waray Party List Congressmen Bembem Noel and Neil Montejo, Manager Nierva disclosed. The first and second regional coconut summits were also sponsored by An Waray.

"We are lucky that Congressman Noel is working for the development of the sector," Manager Nierva said.

Organized by an interagency group composed of the Philippine Coconut Authority Region 8, Department of Agriculture, Department of Science and Technology, Department of Trade and Industry and Department of Agrarian Reform, Manager Nierva said that the Summit is a good opportunity for the coconut industry stakeholders to meet, discuss the concerns of the industry and to make recommendations and resolutions for the improvement and development of the sector.

The 3rd Eastern Visayas Regional Coco Summit will have as its guest of honor and speaker Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala. On the second day, the guest of honor is DOST Secretary Mario Montejo who hails from Palo, Leyte, Manager Nierva disclosed.

Invited to attend the Summit are about 100 coconut farmer leaders, copra traders and millers, coconut processors and members of the academe from the different provinces of Eastern Visayas, who will sit together for a series of plenary session, workshops and fora, Manager Nierva added.

Region 8 is one of the top three coconut producing region in the country and produces a good quality of coconut meat, Manager Nierva said.

He added that the region has 31 percent of the total area were planted with 71.7 million coconut trees. (PIA 8)

Posted July 30, 2010

PNP 8 recruits for more police officers

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Philippine National Police through the PNP Regional Office 8 informed that it is now accepting applications for Police Officer 1 for calendar year 2010.

A government career with the PNP is an opportunity to make a real difference to the people in the community; variety of work and assignments; career satisfaction; and pride in being part of one of the noblest professional organization.

In order to qualify, interested applicants must possess the minimum qualifications to wit, must possess a Formal Baccalaureate Degree; must be at least one meter and sixty-two centimeters (1.62 m.) in height for male and one meter and fifty-seven centimeters (1.57 m.) for female.

Also included among the minimum qualifications is that the applicant must not be less than twenty-one (21) nor more than thirty (30) years of age; must be eligible in accordance with the standards set by NAPOLCOM; and must have no pending case in any court.

The initial requirements to be submitted include the following: duly filled up personal data sheet (Revised 2005); Xerox copy of Live Birth certificate from NSO; Xerox copy of Transcript of Records and Diploma duly authenticated by school Registrar; Xerox copy of report rating of eligibility duly authenticated by the issuing agency.

Among the initial requirements are the Clearances from barangay, police provincial office, mayor, MTC, RTC, Provincial Prosecutors and NBI; 1 piece 2x2 black and white ID picture indicating applicants’ name; medical certificate from City or Municipal Health Office.

The applicants must duly submit their application folders to Police Regional Office 8 not later than August 20, 2010 as the screening will start on September 13, 2010.

For more information, interested persons may call up Tacloban City Police Office via telephone number 321-2021 or 325-8808.  (PIA 8)

Posted July 14, 2010

Comelec sets August 6 to 15 as SK voters’ registration dates

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The Commission on Election has set August 6 to 15 as the registration dates for SK voters.

This directive is provided for by Comelec Resolution 9004 which was promulgated on July 10, 2010.

Any Filipino citizen 15 to 18 years old, and are residents of the barangay where they intend to vote for at least 6 months, may register as members of the Katipunan ng Kabataan.

The Resolution stated that the applications for registration as members of the Katipunan ng Kabataan shall be filed from 8:00 o’clock in the morning to 7:00 o’clock in the evening, at the Office of the Election Officer of the city/municipality where the applicant resides.

Registration will also be open on weekends, the Comelec said.

The applicants must present any of the following documents when they register: Certificate of Live Birth, Baptismal Certificate, School Records or any other document that will establish his identity and other qualifications.

Community Tax Certificates or cedulas or certification from the barangay will not be honored.

The Comelec resolution stressed the value of having an “assembly of youth” in every barangay. The “Katipunan ng Kabataan,” has as its primary objective, to enhance the social, political, economic, cultural, intellectual, moral, moral, spiritual and physical development of the youth of the country, “ according to Article 202, Rule XXVII of the Rules and Regulations Implementing the Local Government Code of 1991.  (PIA 8)

Posted June 18, 2010

A & E test sked for Elementary and High School droupouts announced

CATBALOGAN CITY  –  The Alternative Learning System (ALS) of DepEd Samar announces that the ALS Accreditation and Equivalency test (A & E) will be done on August 1, 2010 (Sunday) in three testing centers in Samar.

In memo circular number 82 series of 2010 handed in by Faustino Tobes, Samar Division ALS coordinator, it said that the three testing centers are in Samar National School, Catbalogan City, Calbiga Central School, Calbiga, Samar and in Sta. Margarita 1 Central Elementary School, Sta. Margarita located some 80 kilometers northwest of Catbalogan City.

Those qualified are elementary drop-outs who are at least 11 years old before examination day; secondary drop-outs who are at least 15 years old before the examination day, non-passers of previous ALS A & E tests and learners or completers of the ALS program.

Requirements include: original and photocopies of any of the mentioned government issued identification such as valid driver’s license, valid passport, voter’s ID, postal ID, NBI clearance, Barangay Certification with photo and authenticated certificate of live birth.

As to the last A & E test, only some 155 out of 1085 takers passed the test getting only some 14. 29%.

In the test results, Southern Leyte had some 184 passers out of 743 examinees or a percentage of 24.76.

Tobes, who took the reigns of ALS recently, due to the retirement of Madam Remedios Mendiola is optimistic that the percentage of takers from Samar will be higher this time.  (PIA-Samar)

Posted May 22, 2010

UNFPA calls for applicants to Philippines Youth Advisory Panel

TACLOBAN CITY  –  The United Nations Population Fund is calling for applications to the Philippine Youth Advisory Panel as six of the 15 current members will retire while the remaining ten will continue for another year.

Adolescents and youth from ages 10 to 24 are priority in UNFPA’s mandate and in all its advocacy efforts and programs worldwide.

The United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) gives special attention to adolescents and youth through their participation in a variety of activities, initiatives and programs designed to build on their skills, knowledge and enthusiasm.

This includes policy decisions not only to bolster their self confidence but also to encourage them to exercise their rights and responsibilities of citizenship. UNFPA recognizes that young people’s health, education, skills- building and over- all development are of utmost global urgency for sustained socio- economic development.

The establishment of the Youth Advisory Panel is part of UNFPA’s commitment to young people’s empowerment. The Panel’s contributions will assist the organization’s priority-setting in this core area of its mandate, and involve young people and youth-serving organizations in suggesting innovative approaches in the design of youth-friendly policies and programs.

Representatives are invited to serve for a period of two years. After the initial two years, 50% of the membership of the panel will be replaced by new invitees to the Panel. The remaining member will continue to serve until the end of the third year.

The idea of rotation of the members of the Panel will ensure the continuity in the operation of the Youth Advisory Panel.

Interested parties must read the attached Terms of Reference and complete the form. Along with a letter of recommendation from the head of the organization represented, send the completed form to Ms. Emee Lei E. Albano, Youth Advocate of the UNFPA Philippines Country Office on or before 13 June 2010 with the address: United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), 30/F Yuchengco Tower 1, RCBC Plaza; 6819 Ayala cor. Sen. Gil Puyat Avenue, 1229 Makati City.  (PIA 8)