Advocacy on Microinsurance to address poverty takes off in Bicol

LEGAZPI CITY, February 9 (PIA) -- The Insurance Commission and the Department of Finance National Credit Council (DOF – NCC) brings its Financial Literacy Road Show on Microinsurance Advocacy in the Bicol region as part of the government’s campaign to spread awareness on the role of the venture in poverty alleviation,.

The event commenced with Training on Microinsurance Advocacy (TOMA) held February 7–9 held at the Alicia Hotel here participated in by potential advocates coming from government and non-government groups including donors/development partners, national public agencies and support organizations.

On February 10 is a culminating seminar with the theme “Magpaseguro para Protektado” which reflects the aim of educating the public and private sectors of the framework and status of microinsurance in the Philippines particularly the respective roles they play in the said advocacy.

DOF – NCC Director Joselito S. Almario will present the salient features of the National Strategy and Regulatory Framework for Microinsurance as it promotes better access to affordable and simple insurance products by the low income and informal sectors.

Part of this campaign is the recognition of microinsurance advocates from Bicol who can help in addressing the need for wider awareness on the importance of insurance, risk protection and financial literacy particularly among low-income sectors.

Albay’s Simbag sa Emerhensya asin Dagdag Paseguro (SEDP) MBA is one of the microinsurance providers recognized at the event.

The government, through the initiatives of the Insurance Commission and its partners in enabling proper regulation of Microinsurance, continues the momentum of opportunities in partnership with National Strategy for Microinsurance and the Regulatory Framework for Microinsurance launced in 2010. Further details of which will also be discussed in the culminating seminar. (MAL/SAA, PIA V/Albay)

Senator calls for review of national building code

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb. 9 (PIA) -- Climate change does not only mean the worldwide experience of fluctuating and unpredictable changes in weather, but it has also called attention to the integrity of infrastructure -- whether these can stand the intensity of the wind, the heat, storm or snow.

Senator Francis Escudero on Tuesday reiterated his call for a comprehensive review of the National Building Code through Senate Bill No. (SBN) 2843 that seeks the strengthening of the state’s existing structural policy.

Escudero made this call following the 6.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Negros Oriental claiming the lives of at least 52 people and the vast damage it had done to public and private infrastructure.

The Bicolano lawmaker, in an emailed press statement, said that the country had been through major weather disturbances, and structures and constructions in the country did not respond well to its impacts.

“There is no more escaping the reality of climate change, earthquakes, flashfloods, landslides and recent tragedies have shown that existing buildings where people thought they could seek refuge did not stand a chance against nature’s wrath; it even claimed lives,” Escudero said.

Escudero, chairman of the Senate committee on environment and natural resources, said that under SNB 2843, stakeholders and government must conform to structural protocols and those who violate the law should be meted punishment.

SBN 2843 directs the Departments of Interior and Local Government and the Public Works and Highways, and the National Disaster Risk Reduction Management Council to work with all local government units to initiate and conduct a comprehensive inspection of all buildings nationwide before building officials could issue Certificate of Inspection and Clearance in conformity with the by-laws of Presidential Decree 1096 or the National Building Code of the Philippines.

Escudero said it was unfortunate that there had been building permits issued under questionable circumstances saying “these fraudulent issuances have allowed faulty building constructions to the detriment of its occupants and those beside and around it.”

Building authorities who will commit fraud related to the issuance of permits, clearances, and certifications shall face life imprisonment, absolute disqualification to hold office, and permanent revocation of professional license.

The provisions of building code were created to ensure the state’s responsibility to safeguard the people, therefore this should be strictly enforced, rather than openly defied by its own regulators, Escudero said. (MAL/MSA-ALbay)

Advocates, stakeholders vow continuous commitment to fight human trafficking

By Marlon A. Loterte

LEGAZPI CITY, Feb 9 (PIA) -- Significant, intensified, and sustained efforts to prevent and curb incidents of trafficking in persons are being pursued by law enforcements entities of the government and stakeholders through advocacy and communication strategies.

The Commission on Filipino Overseas or CFO convened Monday, Feb. 6, government organizations involved in law enforcement, advocacy champions, stakeholders and partners from the private sector comprising the Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) advocacy and communications committee to raise level of intensity in the fight against human trafficking and implement effective and sustainable campaign responsive to the challenges faced by the community.

Atty. Golda Myra Roma of the CFO said that the committee specifically will deliver common core messages to capture the minds of the target audience, further develop partnership and synchronize public and private sectors’ efforts promoting and carrying out programs on the prevention of incidences of human trafficking.

Roma said that advocates and communicators should be equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to convey messages to every specific audience considering their information and interventions needed.

IACAT secretariat, according to Roma, has in fact earlier crafted information campaign strategies and materials to complement efforts of the communicators and advocates in various levels of the community, in the context of national, regional down to small communities’ scenario.

Senior state prosecutor Lilian Doris Alejo of the Department of Justice meanwhile revealed that convictions in courts on trafficking in persons have reached 62 cases involving 67 persons in the whole country since 2005 up to December 2011.

During the present administration of President Benigno Aquino III for the 16-month period (July 1, 2010- November 17, 2011) , Alejo noted, convictions numbered 31 involving 35 persons credited to intensified efforts to curb human trafficking.

Alejo however noted that Bicol has recorded no conviction so far, thus urged local authorities to step up prosecution efforts, and to the judiciary expedite proceedings in courts to penalize perpetrators involved in human trafficking.

The Prosecution Office in the region, on the other hand, clarified that cases are already filed and pending or on-going trials in courts across the region.

Witnesses who have recanted, desisted, and became unavailable during trials remain to be the challenges and setbacks for prosecution to nail down offenders of human trafficking in most cases. Also the different interpretations of the laws by judges have also become a hindrance. .

IACAT in five provinces of Bicol, confirmed the establishment of half-way homes in the areas; organization and operation of task forces; and desks to address cases or incidences related.

Stakeholders are optimistic that with the partnership among government agencies, law enforcement, and the private sector, the fight against human trafficking will go a long way to put an end to this social menace. (MAL-PIA V/Albay)

Big cash prizes await designers of electric tricycle

MASBATE CITY, Feb. 9 (PIA) — Masbateños can now participate and win big cash prizes in the “E-trike Design” contest.

Sponsored by the Department of Energy, the contest requires participants to submit 2D and 3D computer-aided drawings of design for Philippine’s electric tricycle. They must also be accompanied by official registration forms, which can be downloaded at www.doe.gov.ph (DOE website) or www.pia.gov.ph (PIA website)

The criteria: aesthetics/creativity, 50 percent; originality/innovation, 20 percent; safety and functionality, 20 percent; and ergonomics (ease of passenger entry, total passenger comfort), 10 percent.

The top three winners will receive P200,000 each, while seven others will be given a consolation prizes of P50,000 apiece.

The top three designs will be adopted by the DOE in the promotion of lithium ion battery-powered tricycles, which are energy efficient.

Send entries not later than Feb. 17, Friday, to Nationwide E-Trike Design Contest, c/o Energy Utilization Management Bureau, Department of Energy, Merritt Road, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig City 1631.

Details can be secured from the Philippine Information Agency administrative division chief Robert Baldago (tel. 920-4345 or 09399133055) and the DOE (tel. 8402214 or 4792900 local 209). (MAL/Ernie A. Delgado, PIA Masbate)