Run for Peace for Nat'l Peace Consciousness
By Jennifer C. Tilos
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept. 27 (PIA) --Sixty runners in two groups from the Negros Oriental Sports Development Center participated in the 'Run for Peace' on September 22 in observance of the National Peace Consciousness Month of September.
Each group was composed of 30 running enthusiasts that started the 120-kilometer run from the northern part of Negros Oriental in Guihulngan City and the other group from southern-town of Basay and converged at Dumaguete City.
According to Capt. Anacito Naz of the 302nd Infantry Brigade, both groups of runners started to run at 5 a.m. those that came from Guihulngan arrived in Dumaguete at 7:30 a.m. while those from Basay town made it at 6 a.m.
Naz said the runners coming from Guihulngan City arrived late since the weather in the northern part of Negros Oriental was hot while it was rainy in the southern part of the province.
The run culminated with a short program in front of the Negros Oriental Provincial Capitol in Dumaguete City, where the finishers were given certificates of participation and medals by Army’s 302 Brigade Commander Col. Francisco Patrimonio, ONCAN President Marietta Jambora, and Paultom Paras of the Negros Oriental Sports Development Program (NOSDEP).
Dumaguete City Vice Mayor, Alan Cordova was also present during the culmination program as one of the participating runners from Basay.
Meanwhile, Colonel Francisco M. Patrimonio, 302 Brigade Commander said that the different stakeholders converged efforts to meet a common goal to promote culture of peace based on non-violence, respect for fundamental rights and freedom, tolerance, understanding and solidarity.
This multi-sectoral group initiated activity in the province aimed to create unity among the people which banner “I am for Peace” run for peace and humanity for safer Negros Oriental.
The group includes the Provincial Government of Negros Oriental, City Government of Dumaguete, Oriental Negros Children’s Advocacy Network, Metro Dumaguete Roadrunners Club, the 302 Brigade and the Philippine National Police. (mbcn/JCT-PIA7, Negros Oriental)
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Forum speakers express differing opinions over divorce bill
By Rachelle M. Nessia
DUMAGUETE CITY, Negros Oriental, Sept 28 (PIA) -- A local discussion on the issues confronting the Filipino family inevitably turned towards the controversial house bill introducing divorce in the Philippines with the panel of speakers divided over whether the bill should be passed or not.
“It’s hard for us to accept this because we talk of the sacredness of married life. Marriage is universally accepted as an exclusive one-man-one-woman relationship,” said Dr. Sylvia Flores, director of the Dumaguete Cathedral Credit Cooperative (DCCCO), a Roman Catholic-initiated organization.
Dr. Flores said divorce will strongly impact the Filipino family life particularly the children, and it will not be in a positive way. “What will happen to the children if their parents find other spouses?” she asked.
Echoing Dr. Flores’ sentiments on divorce was George Gilvero who represented the Couples for Christ (CFC) organization during the forum.
“If this will be passed into law, it will destroy the family. It’s good for other countries but not for the Philippines,” he said.
He added: “We at the CFC are praying that this divorce bill will not be passed.”
Both Flores and Gilvero were among the speakers in Wednesday’s Kapihan forum held to mark this month’s Family Week celebration.
The bill authored by Party List Rep. Luz Ilagan and Rep. Emmie de Jesus to be named “An Act Introducing Divorce in the Philippines,” provides the divorce option for those who have been separated for five years and legally separated for two years.
Psychologist and local chapter executive manager of the Philippine Mental Health Association (PMHA) Aurora Flores said the bill should be passed as it is a better alternative than annulment which is granted in the Philippines.
“In my understanding, the only difference between divorce and annulment is alimony. In divorce, the man is obligated to give financial support for the children while in annulment, there is none. This is ironic,” she said.
The PMHA manager’s stand on the issue is drawn from years of conducting psychological evaluation for couples seeking annulment, which is one of the services offered by PMHA.
“We evaluate them to determine if these two persons are really incompatible psychologically and emotionally. Our report will be the basis for the court to grant the annulment or not,” she explained.
Flores said that for married couples who fight regularly, divorce or annulment is the last recourse. “To me personally, I prefer divorce because it offers alimony while with annulment, you get nothing,” she said. (RMN/PIA Negros Oriental)
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Silliman University assists in coastal resource mural project in Mati
DUMAGUETE CITY, Sept 28 (PIA) -- Silliman University took part in helping establish an 87-meter long mural painting depicting the threatened marine mammals in Mati City, Davao Oriental.
The mural is a project of the Regional Integrated Coastal Resources Management (RIC) hosted by the Davao Oriental State College of Science and Technology (DOSCST) as part of its advocacy campaign.
Silliman University Office of Information and Publications (SU-OIP) Director Mark Raygan Garcia said the campaign aims to drum up awareness about the importance of biodiversity conservation and coastal resources management.
Around 100 students from four high schools in Mati City participated in completing the mural which featured paintings of endangered marine species of turtles (Hawksbill, Leatherback and Olive Ridley), dolphin, whale shark and sea cow.
"It gives life to both sides of the fence along the main road where DOSCST is located, stretching from the area to the right side of the RIC building towards the administration building," said Garcia.
The mural painting campaign was led by Filipino mural artist AG Sano who oversaw the three-day painting of the fence.
With the entire Region 11 as its coverage, DOSCST-RIC 11 serves as a hub for biodiversity monitoring, research, training and demonstration and IEC activities.
DOSCST-RIC 11 is one of three regional centers in Visayas and Mindanao established under the Integrated Coastal Resources Management Project of the Philippine government through the Department of Environment and Natural Resources.
The project runs on a loan from the Asian Development Bank and a grant from the Global Environment Facility.
Cebu Technological University and Masbate School of Fisheries serve as the other RICs for Regions 7 and 5, respectively.
Silliman University is the assisting institution to the three RICs in Visayas and Mindanao, with it involved from the setting up of the centers, capacity-building up to its first phases of operations.
RIC Director Lea Jimenez said the mural painting is a product of an ideal partnership with the Provincial Government of Davao Oriental and the City Government of Mati.
"When you have something visual, something that they can see, messages become clearer. Through this wall, we hope people will ask questions such as 'Where are these marine species now?' 'How come we don't see them that often anymore?' -- and eventually encourage them to do something to protect these endangered species," Jimenez added. (RMN/PIA7 Negros Oriental with reports from SU-OIP)