More aid for Tropical Sendong victims arrive
The Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) said today it has received US$12,613,473.87 worth of foreign donations for the victims of tropical storm Sendong (Washi) that hit parts of Visayas and Mindanao last December 16.
According to the National Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Council, number of fatalities rose to 1,257, while the estimated damage to property went up to P1.382 billion.
The donated amount includes those received from Filipino communities, Philippine Embassies and Consulates General around the world and private individuals. It also does not include donations without equivalent monetary value.
The total donations consist of US$4,780,656.15 in cash, US$2,122,255.14 in kind and US$5,710,563 worth of pledges.
Top donors include the United States (US$100,000 in cash and US$5.4 million in pledges), Australia (US$1,015,246.92 in cash and US$304,600.82 in kind), China (US$1.01 million in cash), Czech Republic (US$894,000 in cash), Republic of Korea (US$500,000 in kind and US$110,000 in pledges), Indonesia (US$310,000 in cash and US$200,000 in kind) and New Zealand (US$500,000 in cash).
Other foreign donors include Japan (US$320,163.09 in kind), Spain (US$261,470.66 in cash), Ireland (US$130,807.66 in kind), Malaysia (US$100,000 in cash), Singapore (US$38,714.37 in cash and US21,533.57 in kind), Chile (US$25,000 in cash), Thailand (US$100,000 in cash), Denmark (US 52,783.82 in cash), Belgium (US$130,562.58 worth of pledges), Italy (US$645,150 in kind), Switzerland (US$320,714.98 in cash) and Oman (US$2,909.65 in cash).
Filipino communities around the world have also sent in their assistance. The Filipino community in the U.S. Northeast has sent in US$11,170 in cash coursed through the Philippine Consulate General in New York, while other members of the Filipino in the U.S. collected US$8,287.80 in cash. The Filipino community in Guam donated US$3,956 in cash, while the Laguna Association of Guam gave US$500 in cash.
Other donations from the Filipino community include US$1,000 in cash from the Filipino community in Malaysia, US$3,921.45 in cash from the Filipino community in France, US$1,094.25 in cash from the Filipino community in Myanmar, US$2,275.30 in cash from the Filipino community in Xiamen and US$195.95 in cash from the Philippine Consulate General in Barcelona.
Private individuals and businesses have also donated to the cause. Russian businessmen gave US$20,000 in pledges, and the Dalai Lama Trust also provided US$50,000 in pledges. The Chinese Chamber of Commerce in Guam provided US$14,420 in cash, and the Philippine Consulate General in Guam collected money from various individuals, which totaled US$2,895.
International organizations have also stepped in to help. Last December 22, the United Nations launched a consolidated flash appeal for humanitarian assistance with the humanitarian community and the Philippine Government for Sendong victims amounting to US$28,576,819. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has an initial appeal of US$50,000, and that their Philippine office has a team who conducted needs assessment in Mindanao and is providing relief support. Currently, a four-member delegation from the Organization of Islamic Conference (OIC) is now in the Sendong-stricken areas to assess the devastation wreaked by the storm, and also to look into how member-states could extend assistance to the affected communities.
Disyembre 30, 1896
“Ang panahon ng patriarkiya sa Pilipina ay lumilipas na. Ang mga bantog na tagumpay ng kaniyang mga anak ay di lamang sa sariling bayan tinatamasa. Ang lahing kayumanggi, dati’y matamlay sa dilim ng kasaysayan, ngayo’y gumigising na upang kamtan ang ilaw, buhay, at kalinangang ipinamana sa atin ng matandang panahon— pinapatotoo ang walang hangganang batas ng ebolusyon, pagbabagong diwa, kapanahunan, at pagsulong. “- Dr Jose Rizal, talumpati sa brindis para kay Luna at Hidalgo, 1884 Madrid. (Salin ni Imelda Cajipe Endaya)
Technology differences do not hinder unified problem-solving, says science chief
“Technology peculiarities must not prevent nor detract us from a unified problem-solving approach to our shared but currently endangered fate and inheritance,” Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Mario Montejo said in his keynote speech during the opening ceremonies of the 2011-2012 Inter-Sessional Panel of the United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development (UNCSTD) at the New World Hotel, Makati City recently.
In his talk, Montejo recognized the importance of science and technology for development, particularly the role of information technology in shaping and reconfiguring today’s economic environment.
He also acknowledged the presence of a knowledge divide among developed and developing countries, and that this gap is creating a tension of opposites in their hierarchy of needs.
As such, he said, it is urgent for UNCSTD Member States to identify immediate and pressing issues that commonly affect them such as health and food security, as well as environment management and protection, among many others. These issues, he said, are prompted by rapid population growth and increased domestic and cross-border mobility.
“These pervasive concerns should lead us to agree on a joint strategy or strategies to cut down and manage the risks, [since] shared risks can be best managed through shared resources,” Montejo pointed out. “In this way, we raise our chances to overcome any outsized and compelling threat.”
The solution, he suggested, lies in creating more clearly-defined information sharing arrangements to deepen the knowledge base of individual countries, step up technology development, and optimize benefits.
“The power of ICT becomes a critical enabling tool,” Montejo said. “I am hopeful we can try and reach a mutually-acceptable working agreement on information and technology exchanges.”
The United Nations Commission on Science and Technology for Development was established in 1992 to serve as a forum for the following objectives: (1) the examination of science and technology questions and their implications for development; (2) the advancement of understanding on S&T policies, particularly in respect to developing countries; and (3) the formulation of recommendations and guidelines on S&T matters within the United Nations system.
At the 14th UNCSTD Session in Geneva, DOST Undersecretary Fortunato de la Pena was elected Chair for the 15th Session of the Commission.
The 2011-2012 Inter-Sessional Panel addresses two priority themes: (1) innovation, research, technology transfer for mutual advantage, entrepreneurship and collaborative development in the information society; (2) open access, virtual science libraries, geospatial analysis and other complementary ICT, science and technology, engineering, and mathematics assets to address development issues, with particular attention to education.
Make Christmas celebration simple and meaningful-DepEd
The Department of Education announces that Christmas vacation in public schools starts on December 21 and classes resume on 3 January 2012 to give students and teachers time to observe the holiday season.
Education Secretary Armin Luistro said that schools may hold their Christmas party on December 19 or 20 which is an annual tradition before the long holiday break. Luistro, however, cautioned the schools to refrain from holding a lavish and compulsory holiday celebration.
“I want to reiterate that Christmas parties should be simple and meaningful and if ever there is going to be any form of contribution, it should be voluntary,” Luistro advised.
The education chief said that teachers and school officials must see to it that the guidelines contained in DepEd Order 114, series of 2009 on the holding of simple Christmas celebrations, are strictly observed.
“Jesus Christ led a simple life so we can do no less,” added Luistro.
He warned that school officials will be held liable if the department receives complaints and that they may be faced with administrative sanctions if proven guilty of insubordination.
DepEd joins campaign on violence against women and human trafficking
The Department of Education, along with the Philippine Commission on Women and the Inter-Agency Council on Violence Against Women and their Children, joins the observance of the 18-day campaign to end violence against women (VAW) from November 25 to December 12.
The campaign focuses on information dissemination about VAW and how the victims and survivors of violence can seek assistance from government and non-government organizations.
Gender and Development lesson exemplars that also teaches equality between men and women is currently being incorporated in lessons for elementary and high school students in public schools.
“It is important that children learn at an early age that violence in any form is not acceptable more so if inflicted against women and children,” said Education Secretary Armin Luistro. He added that gender equality is integrated across subjects such as English, Filipino, Araling Panlipunan and even Mathematics.
Meanwhile, in observance of the week-long trafficking in persons (TIP), DepEd is also joining the awareness program of the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) from December 5 to 12.
The campaign aims to inform the community on the modus operandi of traffickers and educate young students on the issue because of their vulnerability to traffickers.
The information campaign will be via a 40-minute film showing during the Makabayan lesson or any equivalent subject in selected public schools across the country.