No need to evacuate OFWs in Bahrain – Malacañang
Malacañang said on Thursday it is closely monitoring the situation in Bahrain and sees no need to evacuate overseas Filipino workers in the Middle-Eastern country at this moment.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in Bahrain through the DFA (Department of Foreign Affairs). We have been getting updates on the situation and as of the moment, there is no need yet (to evacuate OFWS),” Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told reporters in a press briefing in Malacañang on Thursday afternoon.
She said any development that would adversely affect Filipinos living and working in Bahrain would be immediately relayed to the DFA by our embassy there.
“Magsasabi naman po ang ating poste kapag meron nang mga circumstances that would warrant an evacuation,” Valte said.
Hundreds of demonstrators have been holding protest actions in central Bahrain over the past three days demanding reforms in government. (PCOO)
Aquino to advertisers: Be govt’s partner in nation building
President Benigno S. Aquino III underscored the role advertising plays in the consumer’s everyday life, noting how the marketing communications sector promotes values that could create a better society.
In addressing the members and newly-inducted officers of the Advertising Board of the Philippines (Adboard) at the Rizal Hall of Malacañang, the President encouraged his audience to continue working hand in hand with the government in enlightening Filipinos on vital national issues.
“The marketing communications sector can help promote a trustworthy, transparent relationship between the government and the Filipino people”, he said.
“The Adboard has shown us that we are capable of promoting higher standards of professionalism in the mass media, this will lead to a Filipino public better informed and enlightened on vital national issues.”
The Chief Executive expressed high hopes that with their new set of officers, the Adboad will continue to promote high standards and ethics in the field of advertising.
He encouraged advertisers to place their ads in media entities that practice responsible journalism.
“Our administration has been promoting good governance and has been highlighting the importance of transparency and accountability. We are working overtime to shed their light on the country, and you can help by encouraging media to police its own ranks and to provide clarity to issues,” he said.
Adboard Chairman Andre Kahn accepted the President’s challenge, saying they will ask cooperation from their news editors to ensure fairness and credibility.
“Yes it is definitely a valid call, we have seen in some occasions, the tendency of media to over sensationalize. We can definitely discuss the treatment of the news with the news editors and ask for their cooperation,” Kahn said.
“One of the things that we do on our own is we recognize commercials that enhance and encourage Filipino values”, he added.
On top of their platform, Kahn said, is committed to promoting Filipino values. He said they have been meeting with Presidential Communications Operations Office (PCOO) Secretary Herminio “Sonny” Coloma on how they could help in espousing traditional Filipino values.
The Adboard officers for 2011 are Andre Kahn of J. Romero & Associates (4As) re-elected as Chairman; John Rojo of Bayantel Communications (PANA) Vice Chairman; Alden Castañeda of San Miguel Foods Corporation (MORES) Treasurer; Tessie Celestino-Howard of Airtime Marketing (IBA) Corporate Secretary and Ricky Alegre of Business Mirror (UPMG) as PR & Information Officer.
In addition, the following individuals were appointed as members of the board who will officially represent their respective member-associations: Norelyn Babiera of Fiera De Manila (ASAP), Allen Velez of Events Pool, Inc. (ASAP), Mio Chongson of Blue Bottle, Inc. (4As), Alex Syfu of DM9 JaymeSyfu (4As), Jose Sy of Film ads, Inc. (CAAP), Donald Lim of MRM Worldwide (IMMAP), Meckoy Quiogue of Mindshare Philippines (MSAP), Atty. Jose Vale of Luneta Advertising (OAAP), Marilen Forsuelo of The Medical City (PANA), Cecile Marvilla of Araneta Center (PANA) and Pepito Olarte of Philippine Daily Inquirer (UPMG).
Established on May 3, 1974, the Advertising Board of the Philippines, also known as Adboard is the umbrella organization of the advertising industry. Its mission is to practice world class advertising, promoting professional ethics through responsible and truthful advertising.
Adboard is composed of eight national organizations involved in advertising that are unified to uphold the progress of Philippine advertising through self-regulation. These include the Philippine Association of National Advertisers (PANA), Association of Accredited Advertising Agencies-Philippines (4As-P), United Print Media Group (UPMG), Outdoor Advertising Association Of The Philippines (OAAP), Advertising Suppliers Association of the Philippines (ASAP), Cinema Advertising Association of the Philippines (CAAP), Marketing & Opinion Research Society of the Philippines (MORES) and the Independent Blocktimers Association of the Philippines (IBA).
Formerly known as the Philippine Board of Advertising, Adboard was formed as a result of a series of meetings in 1973 by leaders in the advertising industry. They felt the urge to commit themselves in creating a committee to achieve their goal in serving the interests of the nation. (PCOO)
Government moves to cushion impact of rising food prices
The Aquino administration is looking for ways to mitigate the impact of rising prices of grains in the world market amid a World Bank warning that global grains prices have risen to “dangerous levels” that could adversely affect third world economies like the Philippines.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte told a media briefing Thursday that the Aquino administration is aware and concerned about this global grains market behavior that is why agencies concerned are being mobilized to reduce the impact of rising world food prices.
“For one, we are looking at the extension of Executive Order 21, or the grant of most favored nation (MFN) treatment on imported wheat so as not to push up flour prices, which ultimately affect bread prices locally,” she said.
Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala, she said has also informed the President that the Philippines is no longer the top importer of the vital staple because of efforts to source more of its stocks from local rice farmers.
World Bank president Robert Zoellick said global food prices had reached “dangerous levels” because governments are scared of a repeat of the Food Crisis of 2008, which sparked riots in countries from Egypt to Haiti.
Sajjid Haider Pasha, director for Hongkong-based grains trading and shipping agency Shunshing Group noted a “stockpiling and hoarding going on from Bangladesh, right through Indonesia and the Philippines as everyone is scared about food inflation.”
The Department of Energy is also being asked to study and coordinate closely with oil companies on petroleum prices and to make sure that oil price changes will be communicated well with the transport groups particularly on their effects on transport fares, Valte added. (PCOO)
