WRITING EDGE

UNGPID - a rights-based approach to development

[ June 21, 2009 | View Comments » ]

Delegation from the Municipality of Kalamansig, Sultan Kudarat actively participated in the planning workshop for disaster response, protection and rehabilitation of the IDPs in their respective area. The activity was recently conducted on June 17-19, 2009 at Grand Ficus Plaza Hotel, Kidapawan City

THE CHALLENGE OF ACHIEVING sustainable peace and development has become increasingly complex and demanding. Mindanao has become a national concern given the armed conflict that hit several provinces in Mindanao last year that attracted international attention such that peace building efforts and development initiatives were directed at the affected areas by various local and international humanitarian agencies.

The United Nations Guiding Principles on Internal Displacement (UNGPID) is now taking place in Mindanao conflict areas - as an awareness campaign to the humanitarian service providers. UNGPID is a comprehensive legal framework for the protection of the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), which was submitted to the United Nations High Commission for Refugees (UNHCR) on its 54th session in 1998.

UNGPID is intended to serve as an international standard guide to governments as well as international humanitarian and development agencies in providing assistance and protection to IDPs. It is a rights-based approach to development.

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ecology »

Home Project on the occasion of World Environment Day

[ June 5, 2009 | View Comments » ]

In 200,000 years on Earth, humanity has upset the balance of the planet, established by nearly four billion years of evolution. The price to pay is high, but it's too late to be a pessimist: humanity has barely ten years to reverse the trend, become aware of the full extent of its spoliation of the Earth's riches and change its patterns of consumption.

By bringing us unique footage from over fifty countries, all seen from the air, by sharing with us his wonder and his concern, with this film Yann Arthus-Bertrand lays a foundation stone for the edifice that, together, we must rebuild.

On the occasion of WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY on June 5th 2009, HOME will be the FIRST movie to be released simultaneously on ALL MEDIA (Theatre, TV, DVD, and Internet) and across 5 CONTINENTS.

On June 5th, we all have a date with the planet!

visit this website: http://www.home-2009.com

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politics »

Way Forward of Pacquiao in Sarangani Province

[ May 13, 2009 | View Comments » ]

Boxing champ Manny Pacquiao gets a new uniform during his conferment with honorary membership to the Philippine Army 73rd Infantry Battalion by battalion commander Lt. Col. Edgardo de Leon. | Photograph by Cocoy Sexcion - SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE

IT WAS PUBLICLY ACKNOWLEDGE that the boxing champ Manny Pacquiao had already move his residence from General Santos City to Kiamba Municipality. This way forward is amid the 2010 election plan of the People’s Champ Miscellaneous (PCM) to campaign for Pacquiao in the congressional race for Sarangani district. The mayor of Malungon municipality, Reynaldo Constantino who act as Pacquiao spokesman had already announced the possibility of forming a new political coalition in Sarangani province.

Manny Pacquiao shares views with Vice Governor Steve Chiongbian Solon during the Hero’s Welcome in Kiamba. | May 12, 2009 Photograph by Cocoy Sexcion – SARANGANI INFORMATION OFFICE

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events », governance »

Peace visit to Zamboanga

[ March 25, 2009 | ]

Last week I was invited to visit Zamboanga City to provide training on basic group facilitation course such as the Technology of Participation (ToP) for the selected local government personnel coming from two municipalities in the main island of Sulu namely: Patikul and Panamao. The said training is part of the Mindanao Economic Development Council (MEDCo) supported ODA on-going programs and projects known as the Mindanao Peace and Development (MPAD) Program through the Transparent and Accountable Governance (TAG-3) Project intervention, with grant assistance from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).

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events », society »

International Women's Day

[ March 8, 2009 | ]

It’s not a Man’s World any more… the International Woman's Day (IWD) is marked on March 8 every year. It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women. This date (March 8) is also commemorated at the United Nations and is designated in many countries as a national holiday.