Silliman University hosts foreign students for service learning program

by Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 2 (PIA) --- Silliman University in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental is currently hosting eight students from Japan and Korea for a month-long service learning program. 

The students come from two universities that said program has been customized for, namely,International Christian University (ICU) in Japan and Seoul Women's University (SWU) in Korea. 

Administered by SU's Serivce Learning Center headed by Prof. Emervencia Ligutom, the program started on June 28 and will end on July 26, said Mark Garcia, SU director of office of information and publications. 

"Each university sent four students who are expected to experience community immersion and the Filipino way of life," said Garcia.

The students from ICU are Ryoko Higuchi, Natsumi Iigo, Mariko Kitahama, and Aya Kojima while the SWU students are Ji Hye Lee, Eun Young Choi, Lee Su Hyun, and Son-Ah Young. 

Garcia explained that service learning is "a teaching pedagogy that brings students to communities, allowing them to appreciate concepts and theories through actual community interaction."

Each student is graded and their progress monitored  through journals and a series of reflection sessions.

Garcia added that service learning has been institutionalized and incorporated into all academic offerings of the university. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)

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PCDA, CSWDO set activities for 33rd NDPR Week celeb
by Jennifer Catan-Tilos

DUMAGUETE CITY, June 30 (PIA)  The Provincial Council for Disability Affairs (PCDA) Negros Oriental together with Dumaguete City Social Welfare and Development Office (CSWDO) has lined-up activities for the 33rd National Disability Prevention and Rehabilitation (NDPR) week, July 17-23, 2011. 

Activities promote public awareness on disability prevention and rehabilitation include an Ecumenical Mass on July 18 at Negros Oriental Convention Center; radio and television guesting with members of PCDA and DSWD on the same day; and psychological assessment for PWDs with Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) .

    On July 19, a Kapihan forum will be held to focus on this year’s theme “ Making the Rights Real for Filipinos with Disabilities with officials from provincial and city PWDs associations, Great Physician Rehabilitation  and CSWD as guest-panelist.

This year’s theme was adopted and conceptualized to promote the implementation of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) duty bearers in both government and non-government organizations and self-help group of persons with disabilities, said DSWD Regional Director Ma. Evelyn Macapobre.

Macapobre has urged concern line agencies to extend full support to the observance of NDPR week to drumbeat the weeklong celebration. 

Similar concern, Secretary Jesse Robredo of the Department of Interior and Local Government (DILG) issued a memorandum circular to all local chief executives to take part in the observance by undertaking fitting activities.

The same memo encouraged all governors and mayors in the country to promote Article 29 of the UNCRPD and intensify the implementation of Republic Act 10070 known as “An Act Establishing an Institutional Mechanism to Ensure the Implementation of Programs and Services for PWDs in Every Province, City and Municipality” or PDAO Law.

According to PWD focal person Benemerita Badon of PSWD the council is also negotiating the Provincial Health Office to hold a free medical checkup for PWDs in the province before the culmination activity on July 21 at the Provincial Convention Center. (PIA NegOr/JCT)

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Symposium on agrarian reform law held for university students

by Rachelle M. Nessia

DUMAGUETE CITY, July 1 (PIA) ---- More than 100 students taking up law and business administration at Silliman University (SU) recently gathered for a symposium to discuss the agrarian reform law in the country. 

The symposium held June 21, 2011 at SU Multipurpose Hall in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental, was called for by the Provincial Agrarian Reform Office of the Department of Agrarian Reform (DAR) here in cooperation with Dr. Jovito Salonga Center for Law and Development. 

During the forum, Atty. Louie Naranjo, DAR provincial office attorney and chief of legal assistance division, gave a presentation discussing RA 9700 otherwise known as "An Act Strengthening the Comprehensive Agrarian Reform Program (CARP)" and its recent amendments. 

DAR Information Officer Aileen Alaban said this is the first of a series of symposia DAR will hold in Dumaguete City in line with their awareness campaign on the CARPER law. "We are set on conducting two more symposiums in other universities here this month," she said in an interview with Philippine Information Agency.

Alaban said they are targeting to hold a similar activity for law students in Negros Oriental State University and Foundation University this July. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)