CHED Bicol sets April 5 as deadline for 2013 TOSP nominations

By Sally A. Atento

LEGAZPI CITY, March 18 (PIA) -- The Commission of Higher Education (CHED) regional office V has set April 5 as deadline of nominations for this year’s Search for Ten Outstanding Students of the Philippines (TOSP).

Dr. Manuel Mendoza, CHED Bicol education supervisor II, said the search is open to graduating college students not more than 30 years of age, with good moral character and excellent academic standing.

“Finalists all over the country will be chosen based on three areas: academic excellence, leadership and community service,” Mendoza added.

The TOSP Program has been an avenue to recognize young leaders in the country imbued with outstanding academic performance, excellent leadership skills, admirable personal values and noteworthy community involvements.

In the Bicol region nominees have always been included in national finalists said Mendoza.

For 2011 and 2012, two students from the region made it to the national top ten. They are Daniel Philip Dy from Ateneo de Naga University and Arleen delos Reyes University of Nueva Caceres.

Interested applicants in the region can call (052)481-5095 or 435-0493 for further information. They may also personally visit CHED office at EM’s Barrio South Brgy 2, Legazpi City or email ched.region5@gmail.com. (SAA-PIA 5/Albay)



NCPC: Fortifying local democracy through People's Council

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay

NAGA CITY, March 18 (PIA) -- The Naga City People's Council (NCPC) is pushing for the program “Expanding and Fortifying Local Democracy through People’s Council in the Philippines” before the city officials of this city, members of various people's organization and other stakeholders recently in pursuit of empowering members of the community by encouraging their participation in various programs of the government.

NCPC program director Johann P. Dela Rosa said that the project aims to rouse the spirit of cooperation amongst members of the community and encourage them to come up with a unified stand in pursuing development by starting it from the local level.

"We want to consolidate and mobilize civil society organizations (CSOs) in the target areas to engage their respective LGUs in all levels of governance though organizing, capacitating, strengthening and establishing of people’s councils, ” Dela Rosa added.

The concept was taken from the experience and gains of NCPC and was among the almost 3,000 proposals submitted to the United Nations Democracy Fund (UNDEF). Of those submitted, only 73 were approved, including that of NCPC, for funding and signed by the UN Secretary himself. It was the only concept approved in the country.

Naga City Mayor John Bongat also gave his insights on the importance of People’s Council in the Executive Branch of the City while City Vice Mayor Gabriel Bordado shared testimonies on the role and contribution of NCPC in the legislative branch of Naga.

Political Democracy and Reform (PODER) Program Director Joy Aceron also shared her words on the social accountability and people participation initiatives in the country. Aceron is also the Program Direcor of the Government Watch Project of the Ateneo School of Government (ASoG) based in Ateneo de Manila University (ADeMU).

Atty. James Jacob, Chairman, Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) and former Naga City Councilor also graced the occasion to explain the enactment of City Ordinance No. 95-092 which was jointly and collectively approved by members of the Sangguniang Panlungsod.

Also known as the Empowerment Ordinance of Naga City, the ordinance gave legitimacy to the organization of the NGO/PO community in Naga City.

The project is expected to advance the tenet of partnership in local governance and push for deeper level of pursuing development and spur growth in the community. The partnership is also being encouraged by the government to concretize the spirit of participation amongst the members of the society. (MAL/LSM-PIA5/Camarines Sur)