by anyajulia | Oct 20, 2009 | Headlines, National News
In the 15th Asian-Pacific Corrosion Control Conference (APCCC15) on October 19–21, 2009, in which Philippines plays host, the focus will be on the latest developments and innovation on corrosion control and conservation of material resources.
The three-day conference that the country hosts for the first time will be held at Dusit Thani Hotel in Makati City. It is being organized by the Philippine Corrosion Society Inc. (PhiCS) with plenary sessions featuring top international corrosion experts.
Over 100 delegates from 15 countries already confirmed to attend the conference that will also showcase 40 scientific papers on corrosion in chemical processing, semiconductor, oil and gas, nuclear power, utilities, construction, and medical industries.
Other topics to be covered are atmospheric corrosion, environment-assisted cracking, localized corrosion, corrosion monitoring, organic and inorganic coatings, inhibitors, and cathodic protection. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Oct 20, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The Bureau of Food and Drugs (BFAD) is encouraging the public to buy medicines from licensed drugstores while batting for the establishment of a botika ng barangay in every community. This is in line with the theme of Consumer Welfare Month, ” Generic Drugs: Gawang Pinoy! Galing Pinoy! Tangkilikin Natin!”
The Department of Health (DOH) is spearheading the celebration, in support of the Cheaper Medicines Act and in line with the government’s thrust to assure the availability of affordable and quality drugs and medicines to the public. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Oct 20, 2009 | Headlines, National News
With the signing of Presidential Proclamation Order No. 1906 by President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo declaring October of every year as “National Indigenous Peoples’ Month”, ethno-linguistic groups from all over the country have a reason to celebrate and be proud of their culture and traditions.
SubCommission on Cultural Communities and Traditional Arts (SCCTA) Commissioner Domingo A. Bakilan of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts(NCCA) said that as mandated by Republic Act 7356, the NCCA has been spearheading the observation of the Indigenous Peoples Month Celebration.
This is also in pursuant to Presidential Proclamation No. 486 signed by Pres. Arroyo consistent with Presidential Proclamation No. 1124 issued by former President Fidel V. Ramos and the United Nations’ General Assembly declaration of the years 2005 to 2014 as the Second International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People.
Through Republic Act 7356, the NCCA has a mandate ‘to encourage the continuing and balanced development of pluralistic culture by the people; conserve and promote the nation’s historical cultural heritage; and ensure the widest dissemination of artistic and cultural products among the greatest number across the country and overseas for their appreciation and enjoyment. (PIA)
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by anyajulia | Oct 20, 2009 | Headlines, National News
The New Tourism Act or RA 9593 requires the public-private partnership needed to achieve the vision of the National Tourism Development Plan. This is to maximize the potentials of tourism as a growth driver of investments, employment, growth and national development
Depatment of Tourism Usec. Phineas Alburo said the National Tourism Development Agenda will be the country’s blueprint to make the tourism industry be more globally competitive spurring not only tourist arrivals but boosting the local tourism sector and luring more domestic and foreign investors to pour money on tourism-related investments.
Despite the global financial crisis, tourist arrivals in the country rose by 1.5 percent or about 3.14M last year, according to records from the DOT. Korea, US and Japan are the three top source markets while a bigger chunk of the tourist arrivals is also attributed from Europe and Scandinavian markets.
Alburo said that in order to lure more tourists and invite investors to the country, our national tourism industry should be more globally competitive and that the necessary infrastructure should be put in place such as access roads, airports, seaports and other infrastructure requirements in identified tourism areas.
With the new law, the DOT exercises the powers and discharges the functions in the development of tourism.
Tourism is said to account for 6.2 percent of the country’s gross domestic product. (PIA/FCR)
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by anyajulia | Oct 20, 2009 | Headlines, National News
“World Food Day is actually’No Food Day’ for almost one out of every six people around the world this year,” said United Nations World Food Programme (WFP) Executive Director Josette Sheeran. He adds, “we can change this – so our challenge is to turn ‘No Food Day’ back into’World Food Day’”.
Last year, governments responded with record donations to WFP, contributing more than US$5 billion to support us at a time when high global food prices were spreading misery, and threatening instability as hungry communities took to the streets in protest.
Sheeran added that for decades, WFP has been able to feed around ten per cent of the world’s hungriest men, women and children. As an agency that responds to emergency needs, WFP has also had to meet many unforeseen demands in 2009, such as the response to the recent floods in the Philippines.
The organization has established a number of programmes, including school meals, food-for-work and food-for training activities, maternal and child nutrition and food assistance to internally displaced people (IDPs). At the same time, WFP is always ready to support national disaster response efforts, as demonstrated by our ongoing emergency operations to assist the victims of tropical storms in Greater Manila and Luzon. (WFP)
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