US Ambassador’s claim of 40% of foreign men visiting PHL come for sexual tourism, a serious issue that needs to be addressed - Chiz

LEGAZPI CITY, October 1 (PIA) --- Whether 1% or 40% , it is a serious issue that the government must address, thus stressed Sen. Francis Escudero in reaction to the statement of the US Ambassador that almost half of the number of foreign men who visit the country come for sexual tourism.

Escudero, however, has insisted that he would like to know the source of and basis of the good Ambassador for his claim and assertion, urging the Department of Foreign Affairs to make the necessary representations and inquiries with the US Ambassador where these figures came from.

"It is unfortunate that he made such a public statement on the heels of President Benigno Aquino III’s visit to the United States. The timing of the statement is in bad taste or uncalled for. It could have been properly channeled to the Department of Tourism, the National Bureau of Investigation or the Bureau of Immigration but certainly not through a press conference," Escudero noted.

Escudero furthered that "while it is true that we are recipients of certain aids from the US government and without making excuses for the misgivings of our law enforcement, it is not for foreign entities to rate us or grade us or whether we pass their benchmark or not, especially when no bases are given. We are not their students and they are not our teachers to say the least." (MAL/Office of Sen. Escudero)

Coco Water Plant Soon to Rise in Camarines Sur

by Lizel S. Macatangay

CADLAN, Pili, Camarines Sur, October 1(PIA) -- A coco water tetra-packing plant will be one the main industries that will occupy the newly inaugurated Food Terminal Complex here initiated and put into realization by Camarines Sur Governor LRay Villafuerte.

The existence of the said edifice has long been included on the priority list of Villafuerte, before the boom of the coco water as one of the most sought after healthy beverage in the United States. The governor found an ally in Jonathan Burth, Director of Operations of Vita Coco, the fastest growing beverage company in the US, when the latter showed interest in the said project.

With an established and willing partner already in line, Villafuerte searched for a local counterpart and ended up closing an agreement with AgriNurture Inc. (ANI), a farming firm which is set to put up a $5-million coconut juice factory in Pili. Once built, the said facility is expected to produce 36 million liter of coconut juice annually to meet the demand of its consumers.

Another P10M will be allocated for the comprehensive and massive coconut tree planting in the upcoming years. This is to supplement the need for 500,000 coconuts needed to meet up the daily production requirements.

Vita Coco contains an all-natural, fat-free and cholesterol- free coconut water packed with nutrients and potassium. It contains indispensable electrolytes which are important for the cells of our body to properly function. Sports enthusiasts are the number one consumers of Vita Coco since the healthy drink contains hydrating elements that resuscitates the body’s need for water.

In his five-day official visit in the United States recently, President Benigno Aquino III expressed high hopes that the coconut industry will have its rightful place in the international market as two American beverage companies showed significant interest to invest in the Philippine coconut industry.

This, the President said, will breathe a new life to the almost disappearing appeal of coconut as player in the marketplace in the past decades.

Villafuerte already ordered the clearing of the coco plant site and has commenced in acquiring the needed equipment to fast track the construction of the said edifice.

The project is expected to be completed in May 2012. (LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

TESDA Info Officers undergo training program on basic journalism

by Lizel S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, October 1 (PIA) -- Consistent to its goal to produce more competent personnel; the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), in cooperation with the Philippine Information Agency (PIA), conducted a three-day training workshop on Basic Journalism and Documentation from September 26 to 28.

TESDA Regional Director Conrado Bares conveyed his cmessage to all the attendees, particularly the agency’s program focals and Information Officers, headed by Ms. Rosalyn Perida, TESDA V Information Officer, for their active participation all through out the duration of the entire activity.

“As a leading partner in development, it is in our shoulder to ensure that the Filipino workforce is equipped with world-class proficiency, with competency at par with the rest of the global workers – and we should start it right here with you as bearers of good news and right information,” he said.

The three-day confab was designed to train TESDA Personnel on how to prepare documentation report, specifically concerning TESDA programs and projects and be able to put across the good news to the public. It also aims to enhance the participant’s skills in writing and come up with relevant stories for publication.

PIA Regional Director Ed De Leon was invited to lead the team of invited resource speakers. He shared his knowledge on ethical journalism, citing among others the appropriate approaches that every mediamen should exercise in dealing with their day to day work. De Leon also discussed the Duties and Responsibilities of Public Information Officers.

Other topics include photojournalism and captioning discussed by Lito Peralta, Public Information Officer of Camarines Sur Institute of Fisheries and Marine Sciences (CASIFMAS); and photography and adobe Photoshop by Zoilus Ruiz, IT Focal Trainer, RTC Pili.

Mr. Frank Penones, a seasoned writer and poet was also invited to impart his knowledge on the writing process and proofreading, ABC’s of Good Writing and The Why’s of Writing. Lizel Macatangay, PIA Camarines Sur Provincial Head also shared tips on news writing, editorial and feature writing and discussed topics on writing an interview, both in radio and tv, including the rewards and dilemmas of writing.

Bares said the training is only the beginning of a series of exercises that the participants are going to undertake.

“We put premium on positive work values, never resting on doing things that will enhance our capacities as servants of our beneficiaries. We will continue to engage in endeavors that will raise the standards of quality technical education and skill development pursuant to TESDA’s mission,” Bares said in closing. (LSM, PIA Camarines Sur)

Videoke bar owners, workers attends orientation on labor laws and children’s rights and welfare

by Rosalita Base-Manlangit

DAET, Camarines Norte, October 1 (PIA) -- Towards the promotion and maintenance of industrial peace and the advocacy on children against trafficking and other acts of abuse and exploitation, an Orientation Seminar on Labor Laws and Standards, Provincial Ordinance 71-2010 and Republic Act 9231 on Children’s Rights and Welfare was conducted for the owners of videoke bars and workers in Daet yesterday.

This was a joint effort of the Department of Labor and Employment and the Provincial Social Welfare and Development Office of the provincial government.

Chief Labor and Employment Officer Ruben L. Romanillos discussed the Labor Standards Laws that include the rights and obligations of workers and management prerogatives and the Labor Relations Laws like the house rules and regulations, rules on suspensions, abandonment and terminations/ regulations and others.

He explained that lack of knowledge of owners and workers on the said laws caused dispute among them specially on matters of minimum wages, payment of overtime, 13th month pay and other benefits of workers.

Romanillos also discussed the Single Entry Approach in solving labor disputes wherein cases should be solved within 30 days.

On the other hand, OIC Provincial Social Welfare Development Officer (PSWDO) Cynthia R.dela Cruz explained that Republic Act 9231 or Child Labor Law protects children from the worst forms of child labor like prostitution, pornography, forced labor, child trafficking and for using them as models for cigarettes and wines.

Community Affairs Officer IV, Purita Brinas of the provincial government also explained the provisions in the protections of the rights of children under Article IV of the Provincial Ordinance No. 71-2010 that protects children against child trafficking through reminders and informations posted in hotels, tourist inn, motels, night clubs, videoke bars, beer garden and other establishments.

The DOLE and PWSDO will post an sticker in all videoke bars in the town of Daet with the message “Mahigpit na ipinagbabawal ang bata dito 17 taong gulang pababa” batay sa provincial ordinance na ipinapatupad sa lalawigan ng Camarines Norte.

The DOLE also organized Industry Tripartite Council (ITC)-Videoke Bars in Daet which will serve as a consultative body on various labor issues affecting the industry.(RBM/PIA, Camarines Norte).