Aquino orders preservation of all Philippine
films and audio visuals
President Benigno S. Aquino III has directed all
government agencies to turn over their existing original and copies of films
and other audio-visuals to the National Film Archive of the Philippines (NFAP)
as part of government’s efforts to preserve the country’s artistic and historic
wealth.
Executive Secretary Paquito N. Ochoa Jr. said on
Saturday that the President signed Administrative Order (AO) No. 26 on April 17
with the aim of protecting and preserving films and audio-visuals in the
possession of various government agencies because “these form part of the
cultural treasure of the nation.”
According to Ochoa, AO 26 also streamlines the
depository of these materials by giving to the NFAP the task of caring,
preserving and reconstructing of films and audio-visuals instead of maintaining
several film archives.
“It is the job of the State to preserve the
country’s artistic and historic wealth because this forms part of the cultural
treasure of our nation. It is also the job of the State to encourage the advancement
of the local film industry because it is an effective tool to enrich our
artistic, cultural and social values or facilitate the better understanding and
appreciation of our identity as Filipinos,” Ochoa said.
Through this administrative order, Ochoa
explained, the Aquino administration will be able to enhance efficiency in the
protection, restoration, maintenance and custody of Filipino films and other
audio-visual negatives, prints, or digital files whether moving films,
documentaries and animation, etc. produced here in the country or abroad, and
do away with the duplication of functions.
Under AO 26, which takes effect immediately, all
departments, agencies and offices of the Executive Branch, including government
corporations, are required to turn over their existing original or copies of
films and other audio-visuals to the NFAP.
The presidential directive authorizes the Film
and Development Council of the Philippines (FDCP), which established the NFAP,
to request similar materials from the Legislative and Judicial Branches,
including their attached agencies and offices.
If deemed necessary to complete the inventory,
the FDCP has also been authorized to request private parties like film
producers, film makers, directors, legal owners or possessor of newly-produced
films and other audio-visuals to deposit a copy or duplicate copy of their
films and audio-visuals with the NFAP within one month after its showing
anywhere in the country or abroad.
The President likewise tasks the NFAP to keep a
record of all the materials it receives and to publish this record at the end
of each year.
Republic Act No. 9167 created FDCP under the
Office of the President. Among FDCP’s powers and functions is the establishment
of the film archive in order to conserve and protect film negatives and/or
prints as part of the nation’s historical, cultural, and artistic heritage. (PCOO)
.
Aquino leads inauguration of Puerto Princesa
Underground River as one of New Seven Wonders of Nature in Pasay City
President Benigno S. Aquino III will attend the
official inauguration of the Puerto Princesa Underground River (PPUR) as one of
the New 7 Wonders of Nature on Saturday night at the One Esplanade open grounds
in Pasay City.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
made the announcement during an interview aired over government-run radio
station dzRB Radyo ng Bayan.
"Ang congratulations natin hindi lang po
para doon sa mga kababayan natin sa Puerto Princesa at doon po sa mga kumikilos
sa the Underground River ngunit doon po sa lahat ng mga Pilipinong sumuporta to
make the PPUR one of the seven," Valte said.
President Aquino, himself, rallied and
personally endorsed the campaign for the PPUR, calling out to government
agencies, "kababayans," and their loved ones here and abroad to vote
for their country’s own.
The inauguration will culminate with the
unveiling of the New 7 Wonders of Nature Marker by the President with the
assistance of Secretaries Jesse M. Robredo, Ramon R. Jimenez Jr., Ramon J.P.
Paje and Mayor Edward S. Hagedorn.
The President, on behalf of the Filipino people,
will also receive the award (plaque) from Bernard Weber, Founder and President
of the New 7 Wonders. The awarding of the Plaque to the Philippines signals the
official Inauguration of the PPUR as one of the New 7 Wonders of Nature.
The Puerto Princesa Underground River is located
some 50km north of the city of Puerto Princesa, off the Palawan Island.
It consists of a limestone karst mountain
landscape, several large chambers containing significant formations of
stalactites and stalagmites, and an 8.2 km. navigable underground river that
winds through a cave before flowing directly into the West Philippine Sea. At
the exit, a flawless lagoon is framed by ancient trees growing right to the
water’s edge.
The New 7 Wonders of Nature are, in alphabetical
order: Amazon, Halong Bay, Iguazu Falls, Jeju Island, Komodo, Puerto Princesa
Underground River, and the Table Mountain.
Following Jeju Island, Puerto Princesa
Underground River is the second to be confirmed on a preliminary basis, as the
new 7 wonders has now completed the telephone voting validation in the
Philippines. (PCOO)
Government urges Filipinos to participate in the
observance of Earth Day 2012 on Sunday
The Aquino administration called on the Filipino
people to participate in the observance of Earth Day 2012 on Sunday and support
the government's efforts to promote global awareness around our planet and to
protect and conserve our environment amid the climate change, a Palace official
said.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said in an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng
Bayan on Saturday that the fight for a clean environment continues as the
ravages of climate change become more manifest every day.
"Bukas nga po magdiriwang po tayo ng Earth
Day at patuloy po nating tinutulak ‘yung mga advocacies ng government tungkol
po doon," Valte said.
Valte enjoined Filipinos to contribute in their
own little way to help protect and preserve Mother Earth.
"Marami naman din po tayong ibang magagawa.
Iyong pagiging vegetarian or vegan is also one of the ways that it can be done
although it takes a lot of commitment to change your eating habits. Kanya-kanya
na po tayong paraan kung paano po tayo makatutulong," she said.
Last year, President Benigno Aquino III launched
the National Greening Program (NGP) at the Department of Environment and
Natural Resources (DENR) in Quezon City.
"Sa National Greening Program, ang mandate
ay ang pagtatanim ng mga seedling, mga sapling ng mga kasamahan po natin sa
pamahalaan, and we enjoin everybody to observe Earth Day," Valte said.
The President issued Executive Order 26 in
February 2011 designating the DENR as the lead agency in carrying out the
program in coordination with the Department of Agriculture and the Department
of Agrarian Reform.
The order of the President consolidates all the
reforestation efforts of the government to regain the country’s depleting
forest areas and ensure self-sufficiency in its timber needs.
World Earth Day is being commemorated on April
22 annually by different countries across the globe. This event reminds people
of the importance of the nature and the need for environmental protection.
The first World Earth Day was held in the year
1970.
Among the things promoted on Earth Day include
the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and the Endangered Species Act. (PCOO)
.
Malacanang exhorts students, college graduates
and out-of-school youths to avail of summer jobs under expanded government
internship program
Malacanang invited students, college graduates,
graduates of vocational courses and out-of-school youths, to apply for summer
jobs under the Expanded Government Internship Program (GIP), a Palace official
said.
Deputy Presidential Spokesperson Abigail Valte
said in an interview aired over government-run radio station dzRB Radyo ng
Bayan on Saturday said that GIP aims to help the students and the youths earn
money for their enrollment this coming school year.
"Ang DSWD (Department of Social Welfare and
Development) po ay nagbukas ng kanilang summer jobs for students and graduates
at magha-hire po sila ng 90,865 youths nationwide. Ang budget allocation dito
ay P1.3 billion," Valte said.
Valte said interested applicants, aged 18 to 30
years old, can go to the nearest DSWD office nationwide and submit their
applications together with a photocopy of their birth certificates.
"So apart from summer jobs na ino-offer ng
Metropolitan Manila Development Authority (MMDA) at ng Department of Labor and
Employment (DOLE) in partnership with private corporations, dagdag na rin ang
mga summer jobs na ino-offer ng DSWD," Valte said.
The GIP is part of the Aquino administration’s
efforts to strengthen youth participation in nation-building, expose them to
government service, train them develop their skills that help contribute to
their economic well-being.
Under the program, qualified applicants may
start work immediately and has to complete 52 days of work.
The interns admitted into the program shall be
provided with stipend commensurate to the applicable minimum wage in the
region.
The qualified applicants can be assigned in the
central office, or in the various field offices including centers/institutions.
Interns will be asked to perform not only the actual office work but also to
assist in the implementation of the numerous DSWD programs and projects.
They may also do direct service through
fieldwork in communities where DSWD programs and projects are implemented in
partnership with the local government units. (PCOO)
