Asean Tribune

The city of Ormoc and Burauen town in Leyte province earned recognitions in the prestigious Association of Tourism Officers of the Philippines (ATOP) Pearl Awards.The local government units (LGUs) received their awards Thursday night in Boracay Island as part of the 24th national convention of ATOP, the country’s leading professional association for tourism officers.Ormoc City was the grand winner for best hosting award of a local event category (city level). It was specifically recognized for the exemplary hosting of Adlaw sa Ormoc- Diamond Jubilee Celebration in October last year.The city was also first runner-up for best hosting of an LGU for international event category, best practices in community-based tourism, best-tourism oriented local government, and best tourism event: religious festival.Department of Tourism Eastern Visayas regional director Karina Rosa Tiopes congratulated Ormoc Mayor Lucy Torres-Gomez for being one of the tourism champions in the country.’This just shows that our local gover
nment units and local tourism offices are now becoming competitive in terms of performing their mandated tasks. This should inspire other LGUs and give them the confidence to bid for awards,’ Tiopes told the Philippine News Agency in a phone interview Friday.Meanwhile, the brochure for Mahagnao Volcano Natural Park (MVNP) in Burauen, Leyte was the first runner-up among 22 entries nationwide in the ATOP Pearl Awards.The MVNP “Find your Ex” brochure promotes the destination’s ‘Excitement, Exhilaration, and Experience.’Burauen town tourism officer Carmela Corazon Crebillo said it was their first time to vie for the ATOP Pearl Awards since Mayor Juanito Renomeron launched an intensive tourism promotion.’We are happy to receive this award after four years of intensified promotion of our tourism sites. This award acknowledges the efforts of designers, marketers, and tourism stakeholders in creating informative and engaging brochures that showcase the country’s tourism offerings,’ Crebillo said.Proclaimed as a natio
nal park in 1937, MVNP is endowed with different natural attractions — lake, falls, multi-colored mud, virgin forests, and a lagoon.Mahagnao, located 860 meters above sea level, is 18 kilometers away from the town center of Burauen.

Source: Philippines News Agency

Red tide phenomenon has recurred in three bays in Samar and Eastern Samar provinces, raising warning not to consume shellfish products in these areas, the Bureau of Fisheries Aquatic Resources (BFAR) said Friday.These bays are Irong-Irong Bay in Catbalogan City, Samar, coastal waters of Calbayog City, Samar; and Matarinao Bay in Eastern Samar province.The bloom of this toxic organism returned in Matarinao after three weeks of red tide absence and in Irong-Irong Bay after nine months. The coastal water of Calbayog City was included in the red tide watch in early 2022.Matarinao covers the coastal waters of General MacArthur, Hernani, Quinapondan and Salcedo in Eastern Samar province.BFAR attributed the change in weather patterns as the cause of the red tide blooms in the region.’To safeguard human lives, we are issuing this warning as a precautionary advice to the public to refrain from gathering, selling, and eating all types of shellfish and Acetes sp. locally known as ‘alamang’ or ‘hipon’ from these bays
,’ BFAR said in its local shellfish bulletin.Water and shellfish meat samples will be sent to their main office for confirmatory testing.Fish, squid, crab, and shrimp gathered from these areas are safe to eat provided that all entrails are removed and the marine products are washed thoroughly with running water before cooking.Although the shellfish ban has been lifted in some areas in the region, the monitoring will continue to check the possible recurrence.The regular water sample checks cover the coastal waters of Daram, Zumarraga, Cambatutay, Maqueda, and Villareal Bays in Samar; coastal waters of Guiuan; San Pedro Bay in Samar; coastal waters of Leyte, Calubian, Ormoc, Sogod, Carigara Bay, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; and coastal waters of Biliran Island.These areas had a history of red tide recurrence in the past years.BFAR regularly analyzes water samples through its regional laboratory to ensure that shellfish gathered from these areas are safe for human consumption.If seawater turns posi
tive for red tide, they gather and send meat to their national laboratory for thorough analysis.Red tide is a term used to describe a phenomenon where the water gets discolored by high algal biomass or the concentration of algae.Meanwhile, BFAR reported that the following Luzon areas continue to be free from paralytic shellfish poisoning: Coastal waters of Cavite, Las Piñas, Parañaque, Navotas, Bulacan and Bataan (Mariveles, Limay, Orion, Pilar, Balanga, Hermosa, Orani, Abucay and Samal) in Manila Bay; mariculture areas in Infanta, coastal waters of Bolinao, Anda, Alaminos, Sual and Wawa, Bani in Pangasinan; mariculture areas in Rosario, and Sto. Tomas in La Union; coastal waters of Pampanga; Masinloc Bay in Zambales; Pagbilao Bay, Pagbilao, and coastal waters of Walay, Padre Burgos in Quezon; Honda, and Puerto Princesa Bays, Puerto Princesa City and coastal waters of Inner Malampaya Sound, Taytay in Palawan.In Visayas, the coastal waters of Milagros and Mandaon in Masbate; coastal waters of Sorsogon Bay and
Juag Lagoon, Matnog in Sorsogon; coastal waters of Borongon, San Dionisio in Iloilo; Altavas, Batan, and New Washington in Batan Bay, Aklan; E.B. Magalona, Talisay City, coastal waters of Silay City, Bacolod City, Hinigaran and Victorias City in Negros Occidental; Tambobo and Si-it Bays, Siaton and Bais Bay, Bais City in Negros Oriental; coastal waters of Daram, Zumarraga, Cambatutay, Maqueda, San Pedro and Villareal Bays in Samar; coastal waters of Guian in Eastern Samar; coastal waters of Lete, Calubian, Ormoc, Sogod, Carigara Bay, and Cancabato Bay, Tacloban City in Leyte; and coastal waters of Biliran Island; Tantanang Bay in Zamboanga Sibugay are also without red tide.Likewise red-tide free are the following coastal waters in Mindanao: Murcielagos Bay in Zamboanga del Norte, and Sapang Dalaga and Baliangao in Misamis Occidental; Panguil Bay, Tangub City, and coastal waters of Ozamiz City in Misamis Occidental; coastal waters of Baroy in Lanao del Norte; Taguines Lagoon, Benoni, Mahinog in Camiguin; Balit
e and Pujada Bays, Mati City in Davao Oriental; Malalag Bay in Davao Occidental and Davao del Sur; coastal waters of Nasipit in Agusan del Norte; Litalit Bay in Surigao del Norte; and coastal waters of Hinatuan, Cortes, Lianga, and Bislig Bays in Surigao del Sur.

Source: Philippines News Agency

The Climate Change Commission (CCC) has partnered with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) to further enhance the country’s climate change initiatives and programs.The CCC and JICA formalized this collaboration through the signing of a Letter of Understanding (LOU) on Oct. 3.This partnership, centered on the Data Collection Survey for Climate Change Measure and Green Transformation, marks the first direct and official collaboration between the CCC and JICA.CCC Vice Chairperson and Executive Director Robert E.A. Borje emphasized that JICA has been a “proven bilateral partner in climate change initiatives.”With JICA’s vast experience in addressing climate-related challenges, Borje said the collaboration “presents valuable opportunities to enhance our programs, to fine-tune our strategies, and to build the capacities to broaden knowledge and skills.”Through the Data Collection Survey, the Philippines can count on JICA for fit-for-purpose and needs-based technical support and capacity-building,
crucial for the timely and effective implementation of policies and measures set out in the Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC).The Philippine NDC underscores the country’s commitment to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 75 percent, aligned with global mitigation goals and sustainable development aspirations.Historically, the Philippines found support from esteemed bilateral partners like JICA, emphasizing the significance of international collaboration in confronting climate and environmental challenges.”Japan has already committed, in the ‘ASEAN-Japan Climate Change Action Agenda 2.0,’ to collaborate with ASEAN countries, including the Philippines, to achieve a decarbonized and resilient society,” Takema Sakamoto, Chief Representative of JICA Philippines, said.’We are very keen to support your efforts for the Sustainable Development Goals or SDGs, considering the concept of the Paris Agreement,’ he added.The CCC conveyed its appreciation to JICA for their “steadfast support over the years and in the u
pcoming years, and for entrusting the Climate Change Commission to lead this cooperative data collection effort alongside various Philippine government agencies stakeholders.””We recognize that climate policies and actions are most successful when stakeholders and partners actively participate in the development, implementation and monitoring. When we effectively engage and actively work at every stage, we bridge gaps, and create a coherent and effective approach to climate change, and this is when we make a difference,’ Borje added.JICA is an established bilateral partner in climate change initiatives, offering multiple collaborative opportunities that significantly benefit the Philippines’ government programs

Source: Philippines News Agency

Pangasinan’s provincial government has ventured into another way of promoting what it can offer to the global market by introducing 10 world-class enterprises through the premier trade show Manila FAME.On Wednesday, 10 of the province’s ‘cream of the crop’ small and medium enterprises (SMEs) showcased their products during a media launch at The Peninsula Manila in Makati City.The Manila FAME will be held at the World Trade Center on Oct. 19-21.Arlyn Guico, the prime mover of the provincial government’s Project Abound and mother of Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III, during the media launch, said 10 entities were chosen from 30 aspirants through an 11-month selection and training process by the Artisan Empowerment Association through the provincial government.She said they hired creative teams, designers, and developers to bring out the highest potential of the artisans and artists of the province.”The artisans and artists in the province carry so much potential and just need proper guidance and platform
to further hone their craft and further improve their products to world-class standard, which they accomplished in the previous months,’ she said.Guico explained that Project Abound was named as such because the artisans use locally sourced materials for their products.She said the products could give the province a fighting chance to compete in the global fashion and luxury industries and hopefully uplift Pangasinan communities.’That is why we formed the Artisans Empowerment Association, an initiative dedicated to elevating Pangasinan’s SMEs, especially those who specialize in handcrafted creations. The organization will equip budding designers, artisans, and entrepreneurs with capacity-building resources like mentorship and training,’ she said.The SMEs chosen to represent the province for a chance to penetrate the global market are Crafter’s Joy, Cawayan, Rach, Welab, which are into the production of luxurious fashion bags; ALMA, Ilo, Erastus, Blades, B6 (Blessed Six) that are into architectural lamps, home
crafts, reinventive furniture, metal craft, and shoes, respectively; and artist Herwin Buccat.Crafter’s Joy, an SME from Basista town, transforms corn husks, which are abundant in the town, into bags and other crafts.Cawayan’s products are made from buri, a variety of palm that is available in Bolinao town. The products are handmade by communities in Santiago Island, Bolinao.Rach, based in Aguilar town, specializes in crafting luxurious bags from exquisite natural resources that are both environment-friendly and ethically sourced.Welab or the Women Empowerment and Livelihood Association of Binalonan make bags from upcycled sacks. It promotes not just sustainable fashion but also women empowerment as it provides women in the community an opportunity to be economically independent.Alma started as a family business but is now expanding into the community in Pozorrubio town where they make architectural lamps from bamboo.Ilo is a group of artisans from the town of Laoac, which is known for craftsmanship. It creat
es traditional crafts with modern designs.Erastus, from the town of Sto. Tomas, merges functionality with aesthetics in the furniture that it makes.Blades consists of metal craft artisans who create knives and swords, as well as other accessories that are both products of artistry and mastery in metal craftsmanship.Blessed Six or B6 is run by young shoemakers from Binalonan town who make fashionable shoes and other footwear using both traditional and innovative designs that are runway-worthy.Herwin Buccat is a painter from Bolinao town whose works are mostly inspired by the landscapes of his town. His artworks are alive in his use of colors and textures.Rosemarie Oamil, a member of Project Abound and an industry expert, said the 10 SMEs and their products are well prepared and are the first-ever delegation of Pangasinan to the Manila FAME.’They have come a long way since then. Treasures are abundant and within the reach of the backyard industries of Pangasinenses. Through the training conducted, we have seen
a glimpse of how much they needed to be guided and I experienced much potential in the treasure in the people and communities and families that come together perfectly. The order of business was envisioned to bring them to the next level, expose them to international competition and exhibitions,’ Oamil said.Cawayan owner Precious Cayaon, in an interview, said the experience was overwhelming, considering that they have just begun their business promotion locally.She said with the support of the Abound team, they were able to come up with new designs and quality that qualify internationally, and even become a part of Manila FAME, which is their dream.’We had coaching and training. We are very happy to be part of this,’ she said.The provincial office of the Department of Trade and Industry commended the efforts of the provincial government and expressed continuous support to the SME participants in the major trade show.Pangasinan Governor Ramon Guico III said the provincial government is also looking forward to
trade agreements with other provinces from other countries as another avenue to promote Pangasinan’s artisans.’As a Pangasinense myself, I have always admired the spirit of my kababayans. They are not only the warmest and most dedicated people I know but they have been also the most resourceful and creative. That is why my administration has been working hard to provide them with the means to realize their goals and improve their lives by bolstering their livelihood with ongoing and future developments that support the province’s economic expansion,’ he said.He clarified that the province is not abandoning the products that it is known for, such as salt, which is where the province’s name was derived.’We have to transcend beyond the salt products,’ he said.Guico also pledged 100 percent support for micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) because they play an inclusive economic role in the province and are critical to meeting the national objective of generating employment, reducing poverty, and discourag
ing rural-urban migration.’This is our time to be part of the international stage. We hope to encourage more local government units to invest in their own MSMEs too,’ he added

Source: Philippines News Agency

We, the Ministers responsible for agriculture and forestry from ASEAN and Japan, gathered on 4th October 2023 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, adopted the ASEAN-Japan MIDORI Cooperation Plan, which aims to strengthen cooperation towards enhancing resilient and sustainable agriculture and food systems through innovation in order to ensure regional food security.

The Meeting recognised the importance of increasing agricultural productivity while reducing environmental loads and the necessity of resilient and sustainable agriculture in promoting food security, environment conservation, and rural development to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and a sustainable future for our region, which commonly share regional particularities such as high humidity and temperature, abundance of paddy fields, and small- and medium-sized farmers.

Source: Association of SouthEast Asian Nation

Senator Robinhood Padilla on Friday filed a measure seeking to provide Filipino Muslims better access to Shari’a courts through the digital processing of routine documents in the said courts.In filing Senate Bill No. 2462, which seeks to amend some provisions of Republic Act 9997 or the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos Act of 2009, Padilla said it is about time to make Shari’a courts more accessible to Muslim Filipinos.He noted that many Muslim Filipinos are facing difficulties in availing the services of Shari’a courts due to a lack of financial capability and knowledge in submitting documents, and the lack of Shari’a courts outside of Mindanao.”Needless to say, these circumstances undermine our country’s commitment to promoting fair and equal treatment to all of its citizens under the law,” Padilla said in his explanatory note.”This measure introduces provisions for the creation of a digital platform that allows the paperless filing of routine documents to and from Shari’a courts, as well as the
collection of statistical data for Muslim Filipinos at the national, regional, provincial, city, and municipal levels,’ he said.SB 2462 mandates the National Commission on Muslim Filipinos (NCMF) and the Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT) to work with the Supreme Court in establishing a digital platform for the “paperless filing” of documents including marriage, birth and death certificates, along with the collection of appropriate fees.The NCMF will also help in the submission of legal documents related to cases before the Shari’a court, and may also enter into public-private partnerships to facilitate the filing of documents.The NCMF shall also coordinate with the Philippine Statistics Authority (PSA) on the collection of statistical data for Muslim Filipinos at the national, regional, provincial, city and municipal levels.The proposed bill also tasked the NCMF’s Bureau of Legal Affairs to ensure equitable access for Muslim Filipinos in Shari’a courts and establish a mechanism fo
r the submission of legal documents to the proper Shari’a courts for Muslim Filipino litigants who are in a region where there is no existing one.’This proposed measure ensures that all citizens of this country are able to access an effective, efficient, and non-discriminatory legal system,’ Padilla said.

Source: Philippines News Agency