RP economy still stable, says former Finance secretary
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, August 16 (PIA) --- Former Finance Sec. Gary Teves has described the Philippine economy as "still stable", accounting its stability to revenue, investment, good governance and accountability.
"Work, income, revenue and investment are the factors for our country to remain economically stable. Good governance and accountability has also counted," Teves was qouted as saying in a speech he delivered during a symposium held August 12 at the Negros Oriental State University (NORSU).
The former Finance secretary was invited by NORSU President Dr. Henry Sojor as the first lecturer to discuss the current state of the country's economy in a series of academic courses conducted by NORSU.
In his speech, Teves challenged the university students to spend within their means to minimize financial problems in their family.
As for his challenge to the country's present economic leaders: "Don't incur so much deficit".
Teves explained that emerging economies like the Philippines usually incur a deficit when their revenues are lesser than their expenditures. "The Philippines would continue to be fine if its tax efforts and revenues are strengthened," he said, as he urged Pres. Benigno S. Aquino III to "act on revenue makings now."
He said the country and the rest of the world should learn from the economic experiences of theUnited States of America, as he stressed the importance of pushing for more jobs, creating more revenues, focusing on economic and social reforms and giving adequate funding for priority spending.
USA's credit rating has recently been downgraded from AAA to AA+ by Standard and Poors, which Teves said will result to more expensive services, US treasury debt and recession.
A native of Negros Oriental and a former legislator, Gary Teves is chairman of Think Tank, Inc. and was named as 2009 Asia's Finance Minister. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental with reports from Joy Perez)
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Dumaguete national artist to receive honorary degree from Luzon university
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, August 16 (PIA) --- Multi-awarded writer and poet and national artist from Dumaguete City, Dr. Edith Lopez-Tiempo, is set to receive a Doctor of Humanities honoris causafrom the Nueva Vizcaya State University (NVSU).
NVSU will confer said honorary degree to Dr. Tiempo on August 19, 2011 at the new Audio-Visual Room of Negros Oriental State University (NORSU) in Dumaguete City, Negros Oriental.
“This will take place after the Thanksgiving Mass at the University Cultural Center for the opening of our Linggo ng Wika celebration,” said Joy Perez, NORSU information officer.
According to NVSU Officer-in-Charge Dr. Romeo Quilang, the NVSU Board of Regents thru Board Resolution No. 16, Series of 2010 and the Commission on Higher Education (CHED) has approved the conferment of the honorary Doctor of Humanities degree to Dr. Tiempo.
NORSU President Dr. Henry A. Sojor has agreed to host the conferment upon the request of NVSU in view of 92-year old Tiempo's frail health. “Travelling from Dumaguete to Bayombong in Nueva Vizcaya would be too tedious for her,” said Perez.
Expected to attend the conferment ceremonies aside from the NVSU delegation, are NORSU’s administrators, select faculty and staff, the family members of Dr. Tiempo and guests.
Born in Bayombong, Nueva Vizcaya, Dr. Tiempo is a poet, fiction writer, teacher and literary critic who was recognized as the National Artist for Literature in 1999.
Together with her husband Edilberto Tiempo, also a writer, they founded in 1962 the Silliman National Writers Workshop in Dumaguete City which, until now, continues to produce some of the best writers in the country. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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NegOr's mobile surgical team to hold surgical mission in Bindoy
by Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, August 16 (PIA) --- The Mobile Surgical Team formed early this year by Negros Oriental Gov. Roel Degamo will hold a surgical mission in Bindoy town from August 17 to 19, 2011.
The team will conduct various surgical and medical services at the Bindoy District Hospital. This is the second round of surgical mission after the team was launched by the provincial government in April this year in Siaton town.
Capitol Information Officer Adrian Sedillo said the mission will include major and minor operations such as appendectomy and circumcision, along with dental services such as tooth extraction.
“Other add-on services will include body massage and hair cut,” said Sedillo.
Members of the Philippine Academy of Medical Specialists (PAMS) and the Association of CebuEye Specialists (ACES) will likewise join the surgical mission. “They will conduct free minor and major surgical procedures including eye related concerns,” added Sedillo.
Gov. Degamo is expected to lead the surgical team which is composed of the medical personnel from the Negros Oriental Provincial Hospital (NOPH), chiefs of hospitals and the Rural Healthy Units under the BINATA inter-local health zone, or the Bindoy, Ayungon and Tayasan towns.
The Mobile Surgical Mission is one of the main thrusts of the provincial government here under Gov. Degamo's centerpiece program dubbed as HELP, or Health, Education, Livelihood Programs and Projects for peace and development. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)