Learning tool on ASEAN now available online March 26, 2015

NGWE SAUNG, MYANMAR, March 26 Senior information officials of the

Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) soft-launched today an online
reference tool for those wishing to learn more about ASEAN.
The ASEAN Virtual Learning Resources Centre (AVLRC), which may now be accessed
via http://learning.asean.org, houses an extensive database of information about ASEAN,
including on its peoples, culture, history, places of interest, and economy.
Mr. Tint Swe, Director General of Myanmar Radio and Television and chair of the 13th
Meeting of the Senior Officials Responsible for Information (SOMRI), in his remarks
highlighted the timeliness and importance of the AVLRC in increasing awareness about
ASEAN, especially with 2015 being a milestone year for the establishment of the One
ASEAN Community.
Apart from news about the ASEAN Community, the AVLRC also features information
about traveling and studying in ASEAN countries.
Primarily catering to students, the site also lists scholarship opportunities and contests
wherein ASEAN students may join.
Those who wish to test how extensively they know ASEAN may take the online quizzes
featured in the AVLRC and compete with other site visitors from all over the region.
The sites content and features are still being updated to ensure optimum utilization.
The AVLRC is one of the 15 priority projects under the Master Plan on ASEAN
Connectivity.
DOST to support technology upgrade of WV enterprises

April 03, 2015

Lilibeth A. French
ILOILO CITY, April 3 (PIA6) - - The Department of Science and Technology 6 is ready
to support Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Western Visayas that need
to upgrade their equipment or willing to adopt technological innovations.
DOST 6 Information Officer Sol Aplaon Salazar said the department has set aside P58
million for the implementation of Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program
(SETUP) in the region this year.
Any company or enterprise owned by Filipino citizens that belong to the identified
priority sectors are qualified to apply for the various assistance provided under the
program intended to improve their operations, products and services and boost their
productivity and competitiveness.
The priority sectors are food processing; furniture, gifts, housewares and decors; marine
and aquatic resources; horticulture and agriculture; metals and engineering; health
products and services/pharmaceuticals; and ICT/Electronics.
SETUP has adopted five strategies to assist MSMEs that include provision of technology,
product standards and testing, packaging and labelling, database management and
information system and linkaging and networking.

Salazar said they are also more than willing to assist MSMEs who are interested to avail
of the program in the preparations of the required documents. All they have to do is visit
the nearest Provincial Science and Technology Center in their areas.
As of 2014, some 234 enterprises in the region have already sought the help of DOST for
their various technological upgrading needs. (JCM/LAF/PIA-Iloilo)
Philippines backs United Nations iniative in raising safety awareness against
disasters
April 06, 2015
MANILA, April 6 -- Malacanang said it supports a United Nations initiative raising
awareness on disasters to make vulnerable communities much safer.
UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and United Nations Office for Disaster Risk
Reduction head, Margareta Wahlstrm, have urged disaster-prone countries like the
Philippines to make "disaster risk reduction" a household word.
In a radio interview on Sunday, Presidential Communications Operations Office
Secretary Herminio Coloma said such an initiative is already being done by the Aquino
administration.
Disaster risk reduction has been the priority of the Aquino government and has
incorporated it in the pillars of its Philippine Development Plan.
Kaya nga po hanggang sa pinakamataas na antas ng pamamahala, mayroon po tayong
climate change Cabinet cluster na binubuklod lahat ng mga ahensya na mayroong
responsibilidad para harapin yung mga hamon ng climate change mitigation and
adaptation, Coloma told dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
Among the government agencies involved in the initiative include the Department of
Environment and Natural Resources, and the Climate Change Commission.
The President heads the Climate Change Commission and is being supported by
Secretary Lucille Sering, its vice chairperson.
At sa loob po ng administrasyon ni Pangulong Aquino ay nakapaglatag na po tayo ng
pambansang istratehiya para harapin ang mga hamon ng climate change adaptation at
mitigation, at ito po ang pinanggagalingan ng mga programa sa disaster risk reduction
and management ng ating bansa, Coloma explained.
The government has also implemented the National Disaster Risk Reduction and
Management Act of 2010, he said noting that the Aquino government is the first
administration to implement such law.
One of the laws provisions is the conduct of review of government initiatives after five
years with a main objective of creating a national organization and infrastructure for

disaster risk reduction, Coloma stressed.

The President heads the hierarchy of responders from national to local levels to get
everyone involved, according to Coloma.
The objective is to inculcate a culture of safety to communities and make them more
disaster-resilient during calamities, he noted. (PCOO/PND (as)
NEWSLINE April 6, 2015
1. Senior information officials of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations softlaunches an online reference tool for those wishing to learn more about ASEAN.
The ASEAN Virtual Learning Resources Centre houses an extensive database of
information including its peoples, culture, history, places of interest, and economy.
Director General of Myanmar Radio and Television highlights the relevance of the
ASEAN Virtual Learning Resources Centre in increasing awareness.
Apart from news about the ASEAN Community, the AVLRC also features information
about traveling and studying in ASEAN countries.
Primarily catering to students, the site also lists scholarship opportunities and contests
wherein ASEAN students may join.
The ASEAN Virtual Learning Resources Centre may now be accessed via
http://learning.asean.org.
2. The Department of Science and Technology 6 is ready to support Micro, Small and
Medium Enterprises in Western Visayas to upgrade their equipment or willing to adopt
technological innovations.
DOST 6 Information Officer Sol Aplaon Salazar says the department has set aside P58
million for the implementation of Small Enterprise Technology Upgrading Program in the
region this year.
Any company or enterprise owned by Filipino citizens that belong to the identified
priority sectors are qualified to apply for the various assistance provided.
The program intends to improve operations, products and services, and boost productivity
and competitiveness of Filipino-owned companies or enterprises.
Salazar says they are also willing to assist MSMEs who are interested to avail of the
program in preparations of the required documents.
All they have to do is visit the nearest Provincial Science and Technology Center in their
areas.
3. The Department of Agriculture (DA) has recently conferred to Tarlac its AgriPinoy Rice Achievers Award for being among the top producing provinces of the
staple.
The rice production significantly increased under the Pagkain Muna program.
Tarlac has received a P4 million worth of project grants and joins the ranks of Central
Luzon neighbors Nueva Ecija, Bataan, and Bulacan as well as Isabela, Pangasinan,
Bukidnon, Com postela Valley, Davao Oriental, and Davao del Sur.

Governor Victor Yap says the achievement is a testament to the local governments longterm agriculture program that is now paying dividends.
He adds that the recognition will further inspire them to work better.
Rice Achievers Award is DAs way of recognizing the outstanding and top performing
provinces, cities, municipalities, and agricultural extension workers for their continued
support to the national governments rice sufficiency goal.