https://www.sunstar.com.ph/ |
- Labor condemns Chinese 'incursions' in West PH Sea
- Biz group pushes for development of micro-enterprises in rural areas
- Mansinares to push for sustainable tourism in Western Visayas
| Labor condemns Chinese 'incursions' in West PH Sea Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:24 AM PDT NEGROS Occidental-based labor group General Alliance of Workers Asociations (Gawa) has condemned the alleged Chinese incursion in the country's territorial waters. Its secretary general Wennie Sancho, in a statement, said this "audacious intrusion" of the Chinese fleet into the exclusive economic zone in the West Philippine Sea is an assault on the country's democratic and republican principles of governance. Sancho said what is truly serious is the political weakness of a government that does not react to the incredible succession of events in the West Philippine Sea, as it wavers between passive indignation and mere indifference. "The state is mandated to protect the nation's marine wealth in its archipelagic waters, territorial sea and exclusive economic zone as provided for in the 1987 Philippine Constitution," he said, adding that "we look up to the government for the protection of our nation's patrimony, but it was missing." For the labor leader, these "terrible events" resulted in a broad loss of confidence in the national leadership, a sense of discontent and a serious reason for concern about the future course of our sovereignty as a people and as a nation. Sancho, also the labor representative to the Regional Tripartite Wages and Productivity Board (RTWPB)-Western Visayas, said most of the people have been incapacitated because they do not speak up or afraid to speak up. He said modern methods of persuasion have created a new hierarchy of influence over government decisions. "A new way in which organized money dominates the action, while the unorganized voice of the people are inhibited from speaking," Sancho said. The Gawa official further said nowadays, democratic expressions have become much more expensive and even dangerous. "We are alarmed by the presence of Chinese ships like an armada. We have filed a series of diplomatic protests but the Chinese ships do not move away, they're here to stay despite the fact that they are excluded from exercising dominion or jurisdiction without the consent of the Philippine government," Sancho said. He asserted that "our national waters are being occupied by a flotilla of Chinese ships like an army set in a battle array?" This alarming situation brought the questions that had been long forgotten, the group said. "Where were courage and determination? And having started to ask, then the other questions came, and truth, justice and even democracy," it said. Citing the statement of the late Senator Benigno "Ninoy" Aquino III that the Filipino is worth dying for, its official said "if the man thought that we, in our weakness were worth dying for, perhaps we could make ourselves even more worthy by having a bit more of his courage, his vision and his determination." Sancho asked, "why is it that there seems to be a deafening silence all over the land when the Chinese intruders 'trampled our sacred shores?'" "Has the Filipino become a coward who readily yields our territory and patrimony to the Chinese horde?" he asked. Moreover, Gawa expressed frustration on the "exodus of Chinese workers" which for them had stolen the Filipinos right to work and our jobs. "They had stolen our territories. They had taken away our pride and dignity," the labor group said. "Let us never allow them to muffle our voices of protest, we shall shout strong and loud as a manifestation of indignation against the transgression of our sacred rights as Filipinos," it said, adding that "we shall protest."  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Biz group pushes for development of micro-enterprises in rural areas Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:23 AM PDT THE Metro Bacolod Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MBCCI) is urging the public to support Negrense entrepreneurs through one, buying local products amid the ongoing coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic. Frank Carbon, chief executive officer of MBCCI, said at least 17 micro-enterprises from different cities and localities are showcasing locally made food and other goods at the ongoing 12th Negros Business Expo at the Robinsons Place Bacolod. Themed "Finding Opportunities for a Better Tomorrow," the 17-day product showcase and trade event is being held from April 16 to May 2, 2021. Carbon said this a joint project of the Provincial Government of Negros Occidental and the business chamber. "Supporting local entrepreneurs by buying their products will contribute to hastening the economic recovery of the province," he said, adding that micro-enterprises being the most vulnerable are actually the ones giving employment to their neighbors. In July this year, the activity will be brought to Ayala Malls Capitol Central. Another round of trade event aimed at helping small producers in the province will be held again at Robinsons Place Bacolod in October. Aside from selling, there will be food processing demo, as well as lecture on how to be profitable amid these trying times. Carbon reiterated that this economic activity and other events that will be held in the coming months will spur economic activities in the province It will also help generate the needed jobs, he added. In previous years, the MBCCI and Provincial Government have also been hosting the annual Negros Business Week. In 2019, in its 11th year, the event was positioned to trigger growth and development toward the rural areas especially agriculture and fishery communities in Negros Occidental. Carbon, who is also the vice president of the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the Visayas, said the country is currently having a hard time moving forward because the economic recovery is on a "stop and go" status due to quarantine measures implemented in light of the Covid-19 threat. The business leader said in seeking post-pandemic solutions, there's a need to look for the source of economic growth especially in the rural areas that need more help. Carbon said about 30 percent of the money that goes to urban areas comes from rural areas. "So these entrepreneurs should be immediately rehabilitated through one, giving them funding sources," he said, adding that "we cannot take off if we will not help them develop."  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| Mansinares to push for sustainable tourism in Western Visayas Posted: 18 Apr 2021 08:23 AM PDT THE new head of the Department of Tourism (DOT) in Western Visayas will push for sustainable tourism model in the region including Negros Occidental. Cristine Mansinares, who was designated officer-in-charge of DOT-Western Visayas by Tourism Secretary Bernadette Romulo-Puyat in a Department Order dated March 26, said she will prioritize the development of Slow Food Travel. Mansinares said the regional line agency will work on developing connections among small-scale farmers, cooperatives and businesses. "These will be done while raising awareness among visitors about the importance of preserving biodiversity, championing farm and organic agriculture tourism, cultural heritage promotion and local gastronomy, among others," she added. Mansinares, who is the concurrent chief tourism operations officer of DOT-Western Visayas, succeeded former regional director Helen Catalbas. Catalbas' second term extension ended on April 16, 2021. She served the regional line agency for 44 years. Mansinares said she is continuing Catalbas' program centered on growing the local tourism economy and finding new opportunities to restart tourism through the "Safely Experience Western Visayas First" campaign. Mansinares that the rehabilitation and recovery of the tourism industry are major challenges she has to deal with, along with key industry stakeholders, in light of the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) crisis. "The pandemic calls us to be resilient and innovative as we slowly reopen the tourism sector in the region," she said. Mansinares, who hails from Sagay City in Negros Occidental, will bring to the DOT her 15 years of extensive experience in the industry as a tourism officer. Prior to her assignment in 2020 in DOT-Western Visayas, Mansinares served as the provincial tourism officer of Negros Occidental. She also led in steering the Sipalay City tourism sector when she was the local government unit's tourism executive. The southern Negros Occidental locality is a popular destination for divers, eco-watchers and beach lovers for its white sand resorts and other natural attractions. "I have big shoes to fill," Mansinares said, adding that her experience working in a cross-cultural environment has widened her perspectives on how tourism significantly impacts human and economic development. DOT-Western Visayas, in a statement, said like her predecessor, Mansinares was also an academic achiever. She received her bachelor's degree in tourism from Colegio San Agustin-Bacolod where she graduated magna cum laude and class valedictorian in 2005. Mansinares completed her Masters in Business Administration degree from the University of San Agustin-Iloilo in 2008. In the same year, she finished a short course on Tourism Promotion and Marketing at the Tokyo International Center under the Japan International Cooperation Agency grant. In 2015, she completed her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Negros Occidental-Recoletos in Bacolod City.  This posting includes an audio/video/photo media file: Download Now |
| You are subscribed to email updates from https://www.sunstar.com.ph/. To stop receiving these emails, you may unsubscribe now. | Email delivery powered by Google |
| Google, 1600 Amphitheatre Parkway, Mountain View, CA 94043, United States | |
No comments:
Post a Comment