Wellness in Education Update: The Philippines and Spain have signed five agreements aimed at boosting the two countries’ relations in sports, culture, and education, the Department of Foreign Affairs announced Thursday. The agreements were the results of the first meeting of the Philippines-Spain Joint Standing Committee (JSC) held in Manila on October 23, the DFA said in a statement. “They welcomed the signing of several agreements pertaining to the promotion of the Spanish language and culture in the Philippines, on the mutual recognition of higher education studies and academic degrees, and on sports cooperation,” it said. It noted that among the agreements signed were: Agreement of Collaboration on the Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Studies and Academic Programs between the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) of the Philippines and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports of Spain; Memorandum of Understanding for the Improvement and Promotion of Spanish Language and Culture Teaching between the Department of Education (DepEd) and the Spanish Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport, the Cervantes Institute, and the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development; Sports Cooperation Programme between the Philippine Sports Commission and the High Council for Sport of Spain; Agreement of Collaboration between the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of the Kingdom of Spain, the Cervantes Institute, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development; and Agreement of Collaboration between the Philippine Normal University (PNU) and the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sport of Spain, the Cervantes Institute, the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation for Development for the development of the promotion, teaching and learning of the Spanish language in the Philippines

"The Philippine delegation was headed by Foreign Affairs Assistant Secretary for European Affairs Elizabeth Buensuceso and other senior officials from the Department of Education , National Commission for Culture and the Arts, Commission on Higher Education, Technical Education and Skills Development Authority, Philippine Normal University, National Museum, National Archives, Philippine Sports Commission, and the Information and Communications Technology Office.
The Spanish delegation was led by  Miren Itziar Taboada, director for Cultural and Scientific Relations of the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation and Development of the Spanish Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Cooperation."

'via Blog this'Philippines, Spain ink 5 agreements | Inquirer Global Nation:

Wellness in Environment Update: The Philippine government has put 158 caves under the protection of the environment department to safeguard them from treasure-hunters, vandals and looters, it was announced on Saturday. The Department of Environment and Natural Resources said the caves, which are scattered across the country, would be protected both by the department and local governments. Environment Secretary Ramon Paje said caves were a valuable natural resource for their scientific, historical and cultural value. "Yet they are also in constant threat from destructive human activities like vandalism, treasure hunting, pollution and illegal extraction of resources," he said in a statement.

AFP: Philippines puts 158 caves under protection: "Many caves in the Philippines have been illegally excavated by people searching for treasure, valuable minerals, artefacts to be sold as antiques or even stalagmites and stalactites which are sold as decorations.Under the order, 118 caves have been classified as being closed to the general public because they are too dangerous or contain valuable geological formations, threatened species or historical artefacts.Such caves will be accessible only by scientists, researchers or trained spelunkers, the department said.Another 40 caves were listed as "generally safe," and remain open to the general public to visit or for activities such as collecting guano and bird's nests for soup, the department added.
The department's wildlife protection bureau has counted at least 1,756 caves scattered across the Southeast Asian archipelago but only a small number have been checked and classified by authorities.
Copyright © 2012 AFP. All rights reserved."

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Rotary Update: The Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP) has launched the year-long book campaign dubbed "Books for Peace" at Camp Aguinaldo in Quezon City. Rear Admiral Miguel Jose Rodriguez, Deputy Chief of Staff for Civil-Military Operations (CMO) of the AFP, said the project is in partnership with the Rotary Club of Loyola Heights. Rodriguez said that "Books for Peace" emphasizes the major part being played by education in our nation’s quest for peace. It also recognizes the glaring truth that conditions in conflict areas have spawned widespread poverty, contributing to the inability of families to send their children to school, he said. Rodriguez added that insufficient support to buy the needed reading materials hampers the education of those who are lucky enough to attend school. The project, he said, follows the success of the Philippine Marines battalion landing team in Sulu where more than a million books through a similar campaign were donated and distributed to the needy school-children. Rotary Club of Loyola Heights President Morris Agoncillo said that the project has a potential of making a big impact in the knowledge formation of the youth who intends to finish their studies but are in dire need of financial support.

Military Launches ‘Books For Peace’ | The Manila Bulletin Newspaper Online: "During the one-year book drive, the AFP will collaborate with the Department of Education (DepEd) in identifying the project beneficiaries particularly in conflict areas.

The Rotarians will handle the tri-media advocacy and collection campaign which will start in Quezon City, then the National Capital Region (NCR), and eventually in other cities nationwide.

"The RC-Loyola Heights and the AFP recognize that prior to the internet boom, knowledge were accessed mainly through printed forms such as encyclopedias and almanacs. Only the financially-abled families, however, were able to buy these costly books, further contributing to a polarity in educational opportunities in the country," said Rodriguez."

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Peace Update: Muslim rebels waging a four-decade insurgency in the Philippines signed a historic pact with the government on Monday to end the conflict, but both sides warned the road to peace had only just begun. President Benigno Aquino and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief Murad Ebrahim witnessed the signing of the accord, which aims for a final peace pact by 2016, in a landmark ceremony at the presidential palace in Manila.

President Benigno Aquino and Moro Islamic Liberation Front (MILF) chief Murad Ebrahim witnessed the signing of the accord, which aims for a final peace pact by 2016, in a landmark ceremony at the presidential palace in Manila.
Philippines, Muslim rebels sign peace pact - Yahoo! News Philippines: "President Benigno Aquino, who has driven the process since assuming office in 2010, also hailed the agreement as a chance to "finally achieve genuine, lasting peace".
Ebrahim became the first MILF chief to visit the presidential palace, signifying the optimism from both sides about finally ending a conflict that has claimed 150,000 lives and the priority Aquino has put on achieving peace. Under the plan, the 12,000-strong MILF would give up its quest for an independent homeland in the southern Philippine region of Mindanao in return for significant power and wealth sharing in a new autonomous region there."

A Muslim girl flashes the peace sign after a nationwide peace caravan from Mindanao to Malacanang arrived to show its support for the signing of a framework agreement, during a vigil near Malacanang palace in Manila October 14, 2012. The Philippine government and Muslim rebels will sign on Monday the framework agreement to end a 40-year conflict that has killed more than 120,000 people, paving the way for a political and economic revival of the country's troubled south. REUTERS/Cheryl Ravelo (PHILIPPINES - Tags: RELIGION POLITICS)

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Climate Change Update: Philippines Project NOAH – National Operational Assessment of Hazards – intends to give Filipinos a better chance of overcoming calamities by providing real-time access to weather information and updating maps. Spearheaded by the Philippine Department of Science and Technology, the 2 billion pesos, or $48 million, project was launched in July 2012. Automated rain gauges first were installed in river basis around the country, allowing scientists and other experts to track rainfall and river water levels in real time. This month, the project will roll out LIDAR, or Light Detection and Ranging, technology which allows for high-resolution 3D mapping of the country’s topography – something which scientists say will help the Philippines’ better prepare for potential disasters. The entire country is expected to be digitally mapped within two years, according to scientists running the project. “Using the best technology available is the only way to minimize casualties,” said Mahar Lagmay, executive director of Project Noah and a scientist at the University of the Philippines in Manila. “We need to develop a culture of preparedness and safety.

"Just weeks after Project Noah was launched by the country’s president Benigno Aquino III, the system was quickly tested when monsoon winds and rain dumped unusually heavy rainfall on critical cities in the Philippines, including Manila. The torrential rains caused the most severe floods seen since Tropical Storm Ketsana in 2009 which left the capital submerged for days. Initial assessments of the August floods showed that better tracking and disaster response times helped to limit the death toll to just over 100 people, compared to over 700 during 2009’s floods. A report from the United States Agency for International Development, or USAID, said local governments were “managing the situations well”, and that that follow-up relief operation was put into action quickly. According to the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, the population displaced by the floods reduced by 10% in a week – a far better record than during Typhoon Ketsana, whose impact lasted months though similar levels of rainfall were recorded, according to Project Noah’s tracking maps."

'via Blog this' Philippines Goes Hi-Tech For Disaster Response Plan - Southeast Asia Real Time - WSJ:

Rotary Update: The Philippine Red Cross (PRC)-Pangasinan chapter and the Rotary Club of Dagupan East launched the "Blood Samaritan Project" on Monday to address the humanitarian need for safe, adequate and equitable distribution of blood supply. The Blood Samaritan Project is a resource generation activity initiated by the Philippine Red Cross to help indigent clients gain access to blood and blood products. The strong and stable collaboration with Rotary Club led to the "RC-RC partnership in Service for Peace and Humanity."

: "Dr. Vivencio Villaflor, chairman and board of director of PRC-Pangasinan, said every individual deserves quality health care. In cases when a patient needs blood for transfusion and be restored to health, the Red Cross is mandated to provide blood for patients, he said. Safe and quality blood carries cost that most indigent patients could not afford. PRC said though blood itself is free, collecting and processing of one unit of safe and quality blood costs P1,500. PRC recovers the cost of blood operations by charging clients a nominal blood processing fee. Unfortunately, the total cost is hardly met by an average Filipino. Thus, the partnership emerged, which has been strengthened by several humanitarian endeavors, the PRC said. On the same day, the PRC-Pangasinan chapter also conducted its assembly at the Stadia this city led by Chapter Administrator Florame Magalong. An oath-taking of the new officers was held in the evening. (ANL/VHS-PIA 1 Pangasinan) "'via Blog this' PIA | Philippine Information Agency | Philippine Red Cross, Rotary Club launch ‘Blood Samaritan Project’

Peace Update: The largest Muslim rebel group in the Philippines said Monday that a peace accord with the government could be forged soon despite recent attempts by a breakaway guerrilla faction to derail the talks. Mohagher Iqbal, chief negotiator of the 11,000-strong Moro Islamic Liberation Front, said more than 50 percent of the issues being tackled by the rebels and government negotiators in Malaysian-brokered talks have been settled in principle. President Benigno Aquino III has expressed hope that a peace pact can be signed as early as December.

 "The Moro group has been battling for decades for self-rule for minority Muslims in the south of the predominantly Roman Catholic country. The rebellion has left more than 120,000 people dead, held back progress in the resource-rich south and sparked worries by Western governments that rebel strongholds could serve as breeding grounds for al-Qaida-linked extremists. The planned signing of a preliminary peace pact in 2008 was scuttled when the Supreme Court declared the agreement unconstitutional, prompting three rebel commanders to launch attacks on Christian communities in the south. The attacks and an ensuing military offensive killed dozens of people and displaced about 750,000 villagers until the two sides agreed on a cease-fire."Muslim Rebels: Philippine Peace Pact Possible Soon - ABC News:

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