Peace Update: MILF said the CPP should understand the Muslim insurgents’ perspective on peace talks

So what, Moro rebs tell Communist Party of the Philippines | Inquirer News: "Reacting to a CPP statement suggesting that the United States had exerted pressure on President Benigno Aquino III to meet secretly with MILF chair Murad Ebrahim on Aug. 4, the MILF said it saw nothing wrong with the US being involved in the peace process, assuming the CPP claim is true.

“Indeed the United States has the moral responsibility to help solve this unfinished Moro question. They must rectify the errors of their past misdeeds,” the MILF said in an editorial posted in its website on Tuesday.

“Had they separated the Moro province from Luzon and the Visayas, there would have been no such thing as the Moro problem or the struggle for the right to self-determination in Mindanao that has resulted in so much bloodshed and destruction,” it said.

The MILF said it was “pragmatic in seeking support, both domestic and international, that would prop up our chances of success.”

Talking to or engaging the Americans does not make you a puppet, it said.

“On the contrary, it shows not only creativity but also maturity and more importantly self-confidence, strength of character and belief that what you profess or stand for is the correct thing,” it said."

Peace Update: Philippine forces upbeat over talks with rebels

Philippine forces upbeat over talks with rebels: "“We are still optimistic (on the negotiations). It is where we see the light at the end of the tunnel,” Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) spokesman Commodore Miguel Rodriguez said yesterday.

Rodriguez, however, said military field units are undertaking measures to prevent the insurgents from staging more attacks.

“Ground forces and ground commanders have been given orders to make sure these things would not happen again. We should be reactive and responsive to the situation,” he said.

Rodriguez said military ground troops will remain on alert to ensure public safety. “We should be able to secure the people in any part of the territory,” he said."

Rotary Update: Rotary Club of Dumaguete South in the Philippines District 3860 program for kids

DAILY STAR: Negros Oriental: "A program of a Philippine Rotary Club, in partnership with a Rotary Club in Texas, USA, is starting to provide pupils of the Dumaguete City public elementary school system with advanced computer training.

The program was made possible by a $33,780 grant from the Rotary District 5800 of Texas to the Rotary Club of Park Cities Dallas USA and the Rotary Club of Dumaguete South in the Philippines District 3860.

The grant bought P4 Dell desktop computers that are now being installed in the City public elementary school system, while a pilot program is ongoing at the North City Elementary School “to iron out any kinks,” said BadeehNaifeh, a Rotary ambassador from the RC of Park Cities Dallas.

RC Dumaguete South immediate past president Alfredo Bustamante III, who forged the partnership with Naifeh and his club, said teachers are also being trained to impart computer-aided education to their pupils."

Wellness in Science & Tech: Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit (RICE)

DOST sets inventors confab » Nation » News | Philippine News | philstar.com: "The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) called on the scientists and inventors here to participate in the upcoming Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit (RICE) next month.

Spearheaded by the DOST - National Capital Region, the event will be held at the Technological University of the Philippines (TUP) gymnasium in San Marcelino St. in Manila on Sept. 20-21.

RICE categories are as follows – Invention Category (Tuklas Award), Utility Model category, Industrial design category (Likha award) and the Student Research Category for both High School and College levels.

The winners will receive cash prizes and plaques of recognition.It will serve as a qualification round for the National Invention Contest.
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Wellness in Education: Affirmative action to eradicate all forms of discrimination against IPs in the entire Philippine educational system

"MANILA, Philippines — The Department of Education has formulated a policy framework for indigenous peoples (IPs) that aims to make the Philippine educational system truly inclusive and respectful of the diversity of learners especially those belonging to the minority groups.

The signing of the education policy framework for IPs was held last August 9, during the United Nations celebration of World Indigenous Peoples’ Day.

The education policy framework for IP seeks to ensure the provision of quality basic education for all IPs that will lead to functional literacy.

It also calls for the adoption of appropriate basic education pedagogy, content, and assessment through the integration of Indigenous Knowledge Systems and Practices (IKSPs) in all learning areas and processes. The policy framework also seeks to provide adequate and culturally-appropriate learning resources and environment to IP learners including the development of textbooks and other supplementary learning materials.

DepEd will also strengthen the hiring, deployment, and continuous development of teachers and learning facilitators implementing the IP Education Program.

Likewise, It will implement a stronger affirmative action to eradicate all forms of discrimination against IPs in the entire Philippine educational system"

Wellness in Environment: DENR-7 in Central Visayas lauded the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) for its environmental contribution

PIA daily news in English, Tagalog, Cebuano, Hiligaynon, Ilocano, Waray, Pangalatok from around the Philippines: "The Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR-7) in Central Visayas lauded the Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) for its environmental contribution by establishing a native tree seedling production and plantation.

The recognition was held in a simple awarding ceremony during the culmination of the 2011 Philippine Environment Month celebration at the DENR Regional Office in Banilad, Mandaue City.

The environment agency also acknowledged RAFI for spearheading the Cebu Province-wide Run 2 Plant 4 GREENIN Philippines activity on June 25 that drew thousands of people running and planting to support the goal of increasing Cebu’s forest cover.

The DENR said the participants from the 48 municipalities and cities in Cebu collectively planted more than 100,000 native tree seedlings in their respective areas."