Save the Children
commemorates a decade of Yolanda and the impact of its lifesaving
work for and with children
![Save the Children in the Yolanda devastated area](save-the-children-yolanda.jpg)
Press Release
November 9, 2023
QUEZON CITY – “I
can remember Save the Children very well because they were the first
one to respond in Tacloban City,” recalls Lemuel Egot, a survivor of
Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
Lemuel was one of the more
than 1.5 million Filipino children affected by Yolanda in 2013. “I
can still remember the bright red pail full of hygiene materials. It
was so helpful then because money can’t buy anything during that
time. We didn’t have food either.”
In the aftermath of
Yolanda, Save the Children immediately mounted a massive
humanitarian response targeting the needs of child survivors and
their families, especially those affected in the most geographically
isolated and disadvantaged areas in Tacloban and Ormoc in Leyte,
Panay Islands, and Estancia and Roxas in Iloilo.
“Save the Children
believes every child deserves a future. Our Yolanda response aimed
to provide affected children and their families immediate support
and help them restore their lives throughout the years,” said Save
the Children Philippines CEO, Atty. Alberto Muyot.
Over 550,000 people,
including around 266,000 children, were reached by Save the
Children’s Yolanda Response.
Save the Children provided
73 child-friendly spaces and over 50 temporary learning spaces which
supported learning continuity and provided safe spaces for thousands
of children to play and recover from their experiences.
More than 42,000
consultations were conducted at the mobile health clinics that were
set up by Save the Children and more than 45,000 shelter kits have
been distributed to families who lost their homes.
Recognizing the right of
children to be protected every day and in times of crisis, Save the
Children Philippines led the advocacy for the passage of Republic
Act 10821 or the “Children’s Emergency Relief and Protect Act”
signed into law in 2016, as well as its implementing rules and
regulation.
“This landmark law is
truly significant in the fulfilment of children's rights to proper
healthcare, access to education, and protection from violence at all
times, most especially before, during, and after emergencies.”
“As Filipino children
continue to face the threats of calamities, disasters, and impacts
of the climate crisis, we continue to urge the Department of the
Interior and Local Government (DILG) to prioritize the development
and roll-out of the Comprehensive Emergency Program for Children (CEPC)
and its localization across all 1,700 LGUs, as mandated by RA
10821,” said Muyot.
“A decade after Yolanda,
Save the Children not only helped hundreds of thousands of children
and people recover but it also made sure that a child protection law
is in place and the programs it implemented are meaningful and
sustainable. I am grateful to see that many child survivors like me
have become productive citizens and are living better lives because
Save the Children created lasting positive change in our lives,”
concludes Lemuel.
IP groups to UNSR Ian Fry
‘Support our call to stop
the attacks against Indigenous Women Environmental HR Defenders!’
![UNSR Ian Fry with HR Defenders](indigenous-women.jpg)
Press Release
November 9, 2023
QUEZON CITY –
Indigenous Peoples (IP) organizations Bai Indigenous Women’s Network
and Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas, along
with Protect Sierra Madre (PSM), Mamamayang Nagmamahal sa Pakil (MANAPAK),
and Kalikasan Southern Tagalog, met with UN Special Rapporteur on
Climate Change Ian Fry on November 9, 2023, to share on the impacts
of Kaliwa and Ahunan dams, and the Pacific Coast Cities project, to
the IP communities in the Southern Tagalog region of the
Philippines. Kakay Tolentino, national coordinator of Bai, focused
on the attacks indigenous women face as environmental human rights
defenders (EHRD).
“Indigenous women are
leading the way in stopping destructive programs encroaching our
ancestral lands, such as large dams and mines. However, it is
becoming difficult for us to play our role in the fight against the
climate crisis due to the worsening attacks on indigenous women, our
communities and organizations,” said Tolentino.
“We are being
criminalized. Presently, there are 63 indigenous political prisoners
which include 13 women,” added Tolentino. In 2020, six (6) Tumandok
women were red-tagged and arrested due to their opposition to the
Jalaur and Pan-ay mega dams.
Moreover, the
Anti-Terrorism Council through the Anti-Terrorism Act of 2020
arbitrarily designates indigenous women as terrorists. These include
Igorot women leaders Sarah Alikes and Jennifer Awingan, and Dr.
Natividad Castro, a doctor of the Manobo in Caraga Region in
Mindanao.
“These attacks on
indigenous women leaders and our supporters is a clear attempt of
the State to incapacitate our leaders and organizations who protect
Mother Earth from further plunder of big businesses for profit,”
expressed Tolentino.
Tolentino also raised
concern on the Philippine government’s non-fulfillment of its
obligations and inaction on the CEDAW General Recommendation No. 39,
on the Rights of Indigenous Women and Girls. “State measures should
include the creation of specialized government mechanisms to protect
IWEHRD with their genuine and meaningful participation,” said
Tolentino.
Meanwhile, Beverly Longid,
national convenor of Katribu, called for the enactment of Human
Rights Defenders and Environmental Defense Bills that would provide
policy recognition to Indigenous Peoples as environment and human
rights defenders. We hope that this recognition will protect IP as
EHRD, especially from escalating attacks as they assert their rights
to land and development.
Bai and Katribu implored
Mr. Ian Fry to look into the human rights violations inflicted on
IWEHRD. They called upon the Marcos Jr. administration to implement
the CEDAW GR No. 39, ensure indigenous women inclusivity in
development and environmental policy-making space, revoke the
arbitrary terrorist designation of Sarah Alikes, Jennifer Awingan
and Dr. Naty Castro, and look into the cases of indigenous women
political prisoners.
PH’s BOI grants green
lane endorsement for P10.85-B wind project in Laguna
![Laguna wind project](laguna-wind-project.jpg)
The
BOI officials awarded a Green Lane Certification of
Endorsement to the LWEC representatives for its wind project
in Laguna. |
By
DTI-Board of Investments
November 6, 2023
MAKATI CITY –
Committed to making more green investments happen in the
Philippines, the Board of Investments (BOI), through its One-Stop
Action Center for Strategic Investments (OSACSI), awarded a Green
Lane Certificate of Endorsement to the Kalayaan 2 Wind Power Project
of Laguna Wind Energy Corp. (LWEC) located in Paete and Kalayaan,
Laguna.
OSACSI Governor-in-Charge
Marjorie O. Ramos-Samaniego awarded the Certificate of Endorsement,
under Executive Order (EO) No. 18: Constituting Green Lanes for
Strategic Investments, to LWEC representatives at the BOI’s Main
Office in Makati City on Oct. 23, 2023.
The project, with an
investment cost of P10.85 billion, is set to start its commercial
operations by 2026 and is expected to generate at least 30 direct
and 500 indirect employment for Filipinos.
In addition, the said wind
power project aims to harness renewable wind resources to power
industries and promote sustainable and greener economic growth.
Notably, The Blue Circle (TBC),
through its subsidiary Laguna Wind Energy Corp. (LWEC), is currently
developing the Kalayaan 2 wind power project to spearhead its
efforts in increasing its presence in the Philippines, with an
overall portfolio of more than 2.5 GW worth of renewable energy
projects in development in the entire country.
The Kalayaan 2 project’s
footprint will cover 70 hectares of land with an installed 100.8 MW
of clean energy capacity utilizing the latest state-of-the-art wind
turbine generator technology.
Aligned with the
Department of Energy’s target of 35% share of renewable energy in
the power generation mix by 2030, the Kalayaan 2 project will
contribute to accelerating the Philippines’ goal to reduce harmful
greenhouse gas emissions while promoting economic growth in the
project’s region and protecting the health and environment of its
stakeholders.
Approved by the Office of
the President on February 24 this year, EO 18 aims to expedite,
streamline and automate processes on the application of permits and
licenses of strategic investments. As the single entry of strategic
investments, OSACSI will be facilitating the processing of permits
and licenses of the endorsed project to ensure the fast realization
of energy investments in the country.
WAO: Earth Run PH a
success
![Earth Run 2023](earth-run2023.jpg)
Press Release
October 29, 2023
IMUS CITY – We Are
One (WAO)-Philippines is thrilled to announce that the “Earth Run
2023: Peace Heritage” which was held on 29 October 2023 at the City
of Imus Grandstand and Track Oval (CIGTO) was an outstanding
success!
Ms. Beverly Lanot, WAO-Philippines
President, expressed her gratitude to the participants, sponsors and
partners especially to Cavite Congressman (3rd District) Adrian Jay
Advincula, Imus Mayor Alex Advincula and board member Shernan Jaro
for allowing the group to use the Imus Oval Grandstand as the venue
for this year's Earth Run.
She said: “The Earth Run
2023 is more than just a local event; it is part of a global
movement that unites us all. Our mission is to complete the entire
circumference of the Earth, a distance of 40,120 kilometers. It is a
difficult task, but it also represents our unity and the power that
comes from working together.
“In a world filled with
differences, we are here to show that when we put our minds to it,
there is no goal too big, no distance too great, and no challenge
too difficult to overcome. We may come from different backgrounds,
but today we stand shoulder to shoulder in pursuit of a common goal.
We are proving that we are indeed one on Earth.
“On behalf of the "We Are
One" Youth Volunteers, I'd like to express our deepest gratitude to
each and every one of you for being here and taking part in this
extraordinary event. Your presence and support are invaluable in
advancing our mission. You are not just runners; you are ambassadors
of unity, hope, and change.”
Five hundred ninety-two
individuals joined the run who were able to cover a total distance
of 1,095 kilometers. The number of participants is over the 500 goal
set by the youth group.
Orlando Gomez, Jr., a
17-year old athletic scholar at Colegio de San Juan de Letran-Manila,
who emerged champion in the 5k category said that the Earth Run was
fun and enjoyable and most of all, it helps make one fit and
healthy. "For those who are thinking of joining future fun runs,
just enjoy it and if you want to win, listen to your coach."
The other champions are
John Kenneth Noche for the 3K category and Jobert Nopal for the 1K
category.
This year’s event was
sponsored by MPT South Management Corporation, Nature’s Spring
Water, Rotary Club of QC Big Bike Riders. Its media partners are The
Manila Times and Diyaryo Milenyo Digital News.
Proceeds of the event will
fund various initiatives led by WAO such as blood donation, tree
planting, clean up drive, donation for victims of disaster,
adopt-a-school program, recycling efforts and climate change
awareness promotion. It will also benefit the chosen beneficiary of
the Imus City government.
WAO is a global
organization of 90,000 youth which is an initiative of Shincheonji
(New Heaven New Earth) Church of Jesus The Temple of the Tabernacle
of the Testimony.
WAO Youth Volunteers
Worldwide also achieved a Guinness World Record as the most people
to sign up as blood donors online in 24 hours consists of 71,121
participants.
Save the Children, EU’s
Project SCOPE transformed lives of 19,000 Persons with Disabilities
![Project SCOPE heads](project-scope.jpeg)
EU
Head of Cooperation Mr. Christoph Wagner with Save the
Children Philippines CEO Atty. Alberto Muyot and ANSA-EAP
Executive Director Mr. Emil Gozali during the closing
ceremony of Project SCOPE at B Hotel, Quezon City,
Philippines. |
Press Release
October 25, 2023
QUEZON CITY – After
three years of implementation Project SCOPE’s efforts to enhance the
lives of more than 19,000 persons with disabilities in Parañaque,
Taguig, and Pateros have paid off.
Project SCOPE empowered
children with disabilities, their parents, caregivers, organizations
of persons with disabilities (OPDs), and other civil society
organizations (CSOs) to engage effectively with local governments by
expressing their rights and monitoring the use of public resources
for their benefit. This participation, in turn, helped improve
policies, programmes and services for children with disabilities.
The P33.4 million project
was funded jointly by the European Union (EU) and Save the Children
and was co-implemented by the Affiliated Network for Social
Accountability -East Asia and the Pacific (ANSA-EAP)
During the closing
ceremony, the EU and Save the Children Philippines underscored the
critical role of organizations of persons with disabilities, groups
of children with disabilities, and parents to advocate for their
rights and their inclusion in the local governments’ policies and
programs.
“While Project SCOPE is
ending this month, the work has just begun for the local government
units (LGUs), OPDs and CSOs whose capacities were strengthened to
work together to develop and implement laws/policies, programs and
services to fulfill the rights of persons with disabilities,
especially children, and to allow them to participate in the design
of those policies” said Christoph Wagner, Head of Cooperation of the
Delegation of the European Union to the Philippines.
“We hope to share our
lessons in empowering children with disabilities to more partners so
that more local governments will recognize the capacities of
children with disabilities living in an enabling community,” said
Atty. Alberto Muyot, CEO of Save the Children Philippines.
People with disabilities,
in particular children, in Parañaque, Pateros, and Taguig are now
represented in planning and policy-making bodies such as the Local
Council for the Protection of Children (LCPC), Municipal Development
Council (MDC), and Municipal Disaster Risk Reduction Management
Council (MDRRMC). As one of the project’s activities, Project SCOPE
has also developed a database of people with disabilities to help
the LGUs ensure policies and programmes are inclusive and leave no
one behind.
Save the Children
Philippines also helped organise children with disabilities groups,
namely, Parañaque Dream Chasers (PDC), Pateros Fighting Scholars (PFS),
and Sipag at Pangarap, Accessible at Equal Education (SPACEE). As a
result of the project’s activities children with disabilities have
also been able to challenge social perceptions that influenced their
self-awareness and limited their personal development. According to
Aimylyn, 16, a youth advocate and member of partner organization
Parañaque Dream Chasers “Through Project SCOPE, I learned to become
more confident. Now, I am not shy to speak-up among my peers. I am
also able to share my opinions and listen to others in activities
like consultations of government.”
As a result of Project
SCOPE's involvement, anti-bullying and anti-discrimination measures
against persons with disabilities were filed in Taguig. Also, the
Children's Code in the three LGUs was revised to include provisions
for the welfare and participation of children with disabilities.
Project SCOPE also supported the OPDs in their advocacy efforts in
support of Republic Act 11650, or the Act Establishing a Policy of
Inclusion and Services for Learners with Disabilities in Support of
Inclusive Education, which was signed into law on March 11, 2022.
During Project SCOPE's
culminating activity, the six OPDs, three children with disabilities
groups, and three parent groups exchanged best practices in advocacy
and local governance.
Samar I continues road
construction to augment road network
![Gandara - Matuguinao - Las Navas road project](gandara-matuguinao-lasnavas-road.jpg)
By
GISSELLE G. PARUNGAO
October 24, 2023
CALBAYOG CITY – The
construction of Gandara - Matuguinao - Las Navas road commenced from
Barangays Deit to Libertad drawn from the Sustainable Infrastructure
Projects Alleviating Gaps (SIPAG) program, said Samar First District
Engineering Office.
The construction of gravel
road will span 2.08 lane kilometers and a width of 9.1 meters.
Grouted riprap will also be incorporated in its scope of work with a
total length of 220 meters and a height that varies from one (1)
meter to three (3) meters.
This road project will
connect the Northern and Western portion of Samar. It will start
from Daang Maharlika (SM) (San Isidro – San Juanico Br.) in the
Municipality of Gandara, Western Samar to Municipality of Matuguinao,
Western Samar and connects to Las Navas, Northern Samar. This will
increase road network capacity in the Island of Samar and eventually
converge the three Samar areas.
The project has a contract
amount of P48.51 million. This is targeted to be completed in 2031.
PSA turns over 2022
CBMS data to 7 LGUs of Biliran Province
![PSA turns over 2022 CBMS data to 7 LGUs of Biliran](cbms-data-biliran.jpg)
By
PSA-8
October 23, 2023
NAVAL, Biliran –
The Philippine Statistics Authority -Regional Statistical Services
Office VIII (PSA - RSSO 8) and Provincial Statistical Office (PSO) -
Biliran, turned over the 2022 Community-Based Monitoring System
(2022 CBMS) results to the seven (7) out of eight (8) municipalities
of Biliran, namely: Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan, Caibiran, Culaba,
Kawayan, and Maripipi. The Data Turnover Ceremony (DTC) marked a
significant milestone of the province and its municipalities.
PSA RSSO 8 Regional
Director Wilma A. Perante commended the seven (7) municipalities for
their full support and cooperation in the 2022 CBMS implementation
in their respective municipalities. She mentioned that of the 6
provinces in the region, Biliran is the first province to cover all
its municipalities. With CBMS as a tool in diagnosing the extent of
poverty, the LGUs will be able to positively target the program
beneficiaries in their locality. CBMS enhances local development
planning and monitoring of progress. It will also help them attain
the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the municipality.
Director Perante mentioned
that the use of Computer-Aided Personal Interview (CAPI) for
household enumeration and Computer Assisted Web-based Interview (CAWI)
for barangay profiling facilitated the entire CBMS operation.
Director Perante thanked the Local Chief Executives (LCEs) for
leading the 2022 CBMS implementation, as well as the enumerators,
processors, supervisors and barangay officials who all contributed
to its success.
National Statistician and
Civil Registrar General Claire Dennis S. Mapa, in his recorded
message, said that the CBMS Data Turn-Over Ceremony marks a
remarkable achievement in its quest for a local level data. He
thanked all LGUs for their full support and dedication in uplifting
the lives of their constituents through CBMS. He further emphasized
that with CBMS, LGUs can now make informed decisions. He encouraged
the local officials to turn data into meaningful actions and make
CBMS an integral part of their governance framework.
Provincial Director Jesus
P. Naquila of the Department of the Interior and Local Government (DILG)
narrated his experience with CBMS as a tool in planning,
identification and prioritization of programs at the local level
given the meager resources of the government. He said that CBMS can
also be used as a tool in outsourcing funds that will promote
betterment of lives of their people.
PSA RSSO 8 Chief
Statistical Specialist (CSS) Mae R. Almonte presented the 2022 CBMS
highlights of the Municipalities of Almeria, Biliran, Cabucgayan,
Caibiran, Culaba, Kawayan, and Maripipi on the following: basic
services such as access to electricity, internet, main sources of
water, households’ perception on safety when walking alone in the
community, household food insecurity experience in the past 12
months socio-demographic characteristics, education, labor force and
employment, senior citizen’s living alone, and person’s with
disability.
Symbolically the local
officials of the LGUs of Biliran accepted the CBMS data and
expressed their gratitude to PSA for the CBMS data turned over to
them, to wit:
Mayor Myra A. Cabrales of
Biliran represented by William P. Uy, Mayor Richard D. Jaguros of
Almeria, Mayor Gemma G. Adobo of Cabucgayan represented by Rosalie
R. Agang, Vice-Mayor Linda Baleyos of Caibiran, Mayor Humphrey B.
Olimba of Culaba, Mayor Manolo D. Rubi of Kawayan, and Mayor Joseph
C. Caingcoy of Maripipi.
The LCEs expressed their
commitment to use the 2022 CBMS results for the betterment of the
lives of their constituents. The MPDCs of the 7 LGUs discussed the
different uses of CBMS data in their respective municipalities. As
managers of their CBMS data, they promised to comply with the
requirements of the Data Privacy Act.
In closing, CSS Renavil V.
Cueva of PSO Biliran thanked everyone for their support and cited
that the collective effort of the government to have a localized
data paved the way to the success of CBMS. With the CBMS data now
turned over to LGUs, she hoped that the results will be cascaded to
the department heads of respective municipalities to ensure that
data will be utilized.
CBMS is an organized
technology-based system of collecting, processing and validating
necessary disaggregated data that may be used for local planning,
program implementation, and impact monitoring while empowering
communities to participate the process. It involves the generation
of data at the local level, which serves as basis in targeting
households for government programs geared towards poverty
alleviation and economic development.
Calbayog farmer group
receives greenhouse, farm tools from DAR
![Panoypoy Farmers Association](panoypoy-farmers-association.jpg)
The
Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) provides the Panoypoy
Farmers Association (PFA) in Calbayog City a greenhouse
facility and farm equipment worth P402,500. |
By
JOSE ALSMITH L. SORIA
October 21, 2023
CALBAYOG CITY, Samar
– Though Barangay Panoypoy is among the remotest villages in this
city, farmers here never felt they were forsaken by the government.
Barangay Panoypoy is 18
kilometers away from the city proper.
Almost all government
agencies extended assistance to us, said Pedro Abajo, president of
the Panoypoy Farmers Association (PFA), when the Department of
Agrarian Reform (DAR) turned over to them a greenhouse facility and
various farm implements.
This is a big opportunity
given to us by DAR, Abajo said. We were given lands to till, and now
we receive farm tools, he added.
Abajo encouraged his
members to grab this opportunity, “Let us plant vegetables, because
after three months, we can already harvest and generate income.”
Samar Provincial Agrarian
Reform Program Officer II (PARPO II) Alfonso Catorce disclosed
during the said occasion that among the priorities of Agrarian
Reform Secretary Conrado Estrella III is the provision of modern
farm equipment, fertilizers, and other farm implements and inputs to
agrarian reform beneficiaries organizations (ARBOs) to help agrarian
reform beneficiaries (ARBs) make their awarded lands productive.
Catorce encouraged the
members of the PFA to invite other ARBs to join any farmer
organization assisted by the DAR so they could also avail of the
different programs of the government.
Thelma Alfaro, chief of
the Program Beneficiaries Development Division of the DAR Samar
Provincial Office, explained that the DAR provided PFA a greenhouse
so the latter would be able to produce high valued crops, such as
lettuce, broccoli, and carrots, and supply whatever is required of
them by institutional buyers.
Recently, DAR linked PFA
to Calbayog City District Jail as a ready market for their products
under Partnership Against Hunger and Poverty (PAHP) being
implemented by DAR under its Enterprise Development and Economic
Support (EDES) program.
According to Alfaro, with
DAR’s intervention, PFA and Calbayog City District Jail entered into
a marketing agreement in July this year. Under the agreement,
Calbayog City District Jail will purchase farm products from PFA for
the daily food requirements of persons deprived of liberty (PDLs).
Aside from the greenhouse,
DAR also provided PFA various farm tools and farm inputs, which
included shovels, garden rakes, pick mattocks, suction hose,
watering cans, farming boots, bolos, plastic mulches and seeds. All
these amounted to P402,500.00, said Alfaro.
Meanwhile, City
Agriculturist, Engr. Techie Pagunsan, who was present during the
said occasion, expressed gratitude to DAR officials “for being a
partner in developing the agriculture sector.”
On this same occasion,
Pagunsan also turned over several farm tools and fertilizers to PFA.
Her office will be providing the necessary training to the said
farmer group.
Municipal Agrarian Reform
Program Officer (MARPO) Jose Arropo shared that PFA is composed of
113 members, 69 of them are ARBs.
![PFA greenhouse facility provided by DAR](farmer-group-greenhouse.jpg)
8ID deploys troops to
secure Negros Oriental’s BSKE 2023
![8ID troops deployment](8id-bske2023.jpg)
By
DPAO, 8ID PA
October 18, 2023
CAMP LUKBAN, Catbalogan
City, Samar – The 8th Infantry “Stormtroopers” Division,
Philippine Army rendered a send-off ceremony for the Company size
troops who will be augmented to the troops of JTF-Spear in province
of Negros Oriental for the conduct of Barangay and Sangguniang
Kabataan Election (BSKE) 2023 held at the Tactical Operations Group
(TOG) 8, Airforce Headquarters in Tacloban City on October 17, 2023.
The 8th Infantry Division,
Assistant Division Commander, Brig. Gen. Perfecto P. Peñaredondo led
the send-off ceremony of troops, which is a composite team from the
14th Infantry Battalion, 46th Infantry Battalion, 52nd Infantry
Battalion, and 78th Infantry Battalion who will be placed under the
operational control of 302nd Infantry Brigade of the 3rd Infantry
“Spearhead” Division.
In his message, Brig. Gen.
Peñaredondo emphasized the vital role of the troops who will serve
as an additional force in securing a free, orderly, honest,
peaceful, and credible BSKE in Negros Oriental.
“Malaki ang inyong
magiging kontribusyon sa pagpapangalaga ng demokrasya at pagsisiguro
na ang boses ng mga mamamayan ay mapakikinggan,” Brig. Gen.
Peñaredondo expressed.
He also urged the soldiers
not to loosen their guard and stay vigilant.
He also reminded the
troops to maintain discipline, professionalism, and respect for
human rights as they perform their sworn duty, and as a deputized
agency of the Commission on Election (COMELEC) in securing fair and
honest elections.
It can be recalled that on
March 04, 2023, Negros Oriental Governor, Roel Degamo was
assassinated in broad daylight in his residence together with nine
others.
DPWH continues
construction of Sta. Margarita Diversion road
![Sta. Margarita Diversion road](sta.margarita-diversion-road.jpg)
By
GISSELLE G. PARUNGAO
October 18, 2023
CALBAYOG CITY –
Samar First DEO now continues the construction of Sta. Margarita
Diversion road under the General Appropriations Act (GAA) for FY
2023.
The scope of work will
include the construction of concrete road which will span 0.96 lane
kilometers and a width of 30 meters (four lanes with center island).
Aside from that, a slope protection will also be incorporated on
both sides and solar LED lights will be installed.
This will provide a safe
and faster route for people, goods and services as it connects
different barangays. This will also serve as an alternate route to
let through traffic flow without interference from local traffic and
reduce congestion in the built-up area which is expected if one goes
through the municipality. The road will connect from Barangay
Burabod along the Maharlika Highway and will end at the Calbayog
Diversion road.
Said road is part of a
multi-year project which started in 2022 and targeted to be passable
by 2025.
CARD MRI plants 750
mangrove trees in Oriental Mindoro
![CARD MRI tree planting](card-tree-planting.jpg)
By
JOSEPHINE RAMOS
October 18, 2023
SAN PABLO CITY –
CARD Mutually Reinforcing Institutions (CARD MRI) planted 750
mangrove trees in Brgy. Baruyan, Calapan City, Oriental Mindoro on
October 7, 2023 as an initiative to reduce the carbon footprint and
counteract oil spill in the area.
As part of the restoration
effort, the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR)
recommended planting the said kind of tree as the area suffered from
oil spill recently.
The said activity also
signifies CARD MRI’s commitment to the realization of the
Sustainable Development Goals globally. As shared by CARD MRI
Managing Director Aristeo A. Dequito, “While we undertake various
initiatives to promote the well-being and prosperity of both people
and the planet, the tree planting activity plays an important role
in advancing the 17 SDGs.” He also added that the banking
institutions of CARD MRI has been one with the Bangko Sentral ng
Pilipinas in promoting sustainable financing through compliance to
BSP Circular No. 1805 Series of 2020.
About 150 staff from
institutions under CARD MRI participated in the tree-planting
activity, namely, CARD, Inc. (A Microfinance NGO), CARD Bank, and
CARD MBA.
“It was challenging yet
enjoyable. Aside from saving the earth, we also had an opportunity
to bond with each other, enabling us to strengthen our connection,”
CARD Bank Regional Director Venancia Salazar said during an
interview.
Meanwhile, CARD-Business
Development Service Foundation Inc. (CARD-BDSFI), a member
institution of CARD MRI that focuses on agricultural and fisheries
development, signed a memorandum of agreement with DENR for these
environmentally sustainable activities. This agreement outlines
DENR's quarterly visits to the mangroves and mandates the
institutions provide replacements for any dead plants.
“We cannot fully eradicate
poverty without caring for our common home, our planet Earth. With
the climate crisis continuously intensifying, this activity is a
good approach to help boost ecosystem resilience and combat climate
change,” CARD MRI Founder and Chairman Emeritus Dr. Jaime Aristotle
Alip concluded.
With a holistic approach
to development, CARD MRI aspires to continuously achieve
sustainability through its institutions specializing not only in
financial services, but also in health, education, and other
community development programs.