TACLOBAN CITY– The coming of the Miss Universe Philippines candidates to the region will be a big boost to Eastern Visayas tourism industry.

Thus said Karina Rosa Tiopes, the regional director of the Department of Tourism (DOT).
“Eastern Visayas will gain for us the needed promotional mileage, nationally and internationally,” she said.

She thanked Leyte Rep. and House Speaker Martin Romualdez and his wife, Rep. Yedda Marie Romualdez of the Tingog party-list as well as the Leyte and Tacloban governments as well as the provincial governments of Samar and the municipal governments of Basey and Marabut for hosting the events participated by the candidates of the prestigious beauty pageant.

Borj Roxas, project head of the Miss Universe Philippines, said that they are committed to helping areas outside Metro Manila their tourism industry reason they stage some segments of the competitions to these areas.

“Tourism is one of the pillars of the Miss Universe Philippines and our coming to Eastern Visayas, not just in Tacloban City, will show that the region is now really ready to welcome more tourists,” he said.

According to the organizers, this is also the first time they will shoot the national costume for the competition in the region.

The said segment was held last Thursday (April 4) at the Human Resource and Development Center of the Leyte Normal University, this city.
(RONALD O. REYES)

It’s now ten years since the Rana Plaza building, located in Dhaka, Bangladesh collapsed. That fateful day, at least 1,132 people – mainly garment workers – were killed and more than 2,500 injured.

The disaster seized global attention and led to change. Yet while a major catastrophe such as Rana Plaza captures headlines, accidents and deaths occur in workplaces across every country daily.

In fact, some 2.9 million women and men around the world succumb to work-related accidents or diseases every year; that’s over 8,000 deaths every single day.
The toll is enormous, both in terms of personal tragedy and hardship as well as economic loss.

In June 2022, the International Labour Organization took a historic step when it added a safe and healthy working environment to its Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work.
Why does this matter?

It matters because occupational safety and health can now no longer be viewed as an optional extra. All of ILO’s 186 member states are now obligated to respect, promote and achieve a safe and healthy working environment as a fundamental principle and right at work, irrespective of whether they have ratified either of the ILO’s conventions relating to occupational safety and health.

This is significant for several reasons. First and foremost, it recognizes that every worker has the right to be protected from hazards and risks that can cause injury, illness, or death in the workplace.

By making occupational safety and health (OSH) a fundamental right, the ILO is sending a clear message to governments and employers that they must take responsibility for providing a safe and healthy working environment for all workers.

Protecting workers’ health and well-being is not just a moral imperative; it makes good business sense too as a recent cost-benefit analysis carried out by the ASEAN Secretariat on OSH in the construction sector showed.

When workers feel safe and healthy in their workplace, they are more likely to be productive and efficient. This can benefit workers, employers as well as the wider economy. Conversely, when workers are injured or become ill due to workplace hazards, it can have a significant negative impact on productivity and economic growth.

Making OSH a fundamental right promotes social justice and equality. This is particularly important for workers in marginalized communities who may be at greater risk of workplace hazards due to factors such as poverty, discrimination, and lack of access to education, training and OSH services.

It is also important in terms of ensuring compliance with OSH regulations and standards which in turn can lead to better working conditions and improved health outcomes for workers.

In Asia and the Pacific, progress on OSH is being made on many fronts. ILO OSH-related conventions have been ratified while there are new national OSH policies, laws and programmes across the region. Steps are being taken to ensure that no one is left behind, with efforts, for example, to reach out to sanitation and waste recycling workers in South Asia and the smallest enterprises and informal economy workers in ASEAN. Meanwhile, the capacity of labour inspectors – who are on the front-line of efforts to ensure workplaces are safe and healthy – has been boosted through training and the use of technology.

These are all important initiatives, which must be applauded and supported. However, for OSH to become a daily reality for all workers, it must be addressed alongside ILO’s other Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work. These relate to freedom of association and collective bargaining, the elimination of forced and child labour as well as ending discrimination in the world of work.

The participation of both employers and workers through social dialogue and workplace cooperation is vital if a sound culture of prevention in OSH is to be created. Freedom of association and collective bargaining help workers organize and negotiate for better working conditions, including safety and health. Without these rights, workers may be unable to advocate for themselves and may be more vulnerable to exploitation and mistreatment.

Trade unions have an important role to play in this regard, helping voice concerns of workers as well as training them in OSH basics. Meanwhile, enterprise level OSH committees such as those set up in the Indonesian palm oil industry as well the Bangladesh garment sector allow workers and employers to address safety and health issues face to face and as equals.

Forced and child labour as well as discrimination in respect of gender, age, migrant status, employment and occupations are also all intrinsically linked with workplace safety and health. Unless they too are tackled, men, women, the aged, youth and the vulnerable will continue to find themselves toiling in hazardous circumstances, where accidents are commonplace and social protection rare.

A safe and healthy working environment is now a fundamental right for each and every worker. Governments, employers, trade unions as well as companies at every level of the supply chain must work together to make this right a reality.

We can do so through shared commitment, joint efforts and by taking a holistic approach. One which recognises and promotes all fundamental workers’ rights and helps deliver social justice and decent work for all.
(INTERNATIONAL LABOUR ORGANIZATION)

A senior citizen from Matalom, Leyte, who planted thousands of mangroves to protect his home and neighborhood from big waves caused by typhoons, was presented with the prestigious Normandy Honors for Peace with the Earth Award.

Geldardo “Gary” Dabasol was recognized for his initiative in implementing a nature-based solution that protects the community from typhoons.

He was honored for his dedication and effort in planting over 10,000 mangroves in Barangay Punong, Matalom, Leyte since 2013 from propagules he gathers along the coastline of his village.

The award which aims to give international recognition and global gratitude to those who have made significant contributions to protecting the environment and promoting peaceful interactions with nature was presented by the Normandy Chair for Peace Movement, the Institute for Governance and Sustainable Development in Washington DC and Paris, the Asia-Pacific Center for Environment Law in Singapore, the International Council for Environmental Law in New York and Madrid, and the Environmental Law Program of the University of Hawaii.

It was given during the Recognition of Good Stories and Gratitude to the Moving Characters: Bayanihan na Pasasalamat Para sa Katauhan held at the Ramon Magsaysay Center in Manila on April 19, 2023.

“I didn’t plant mangroves to earn money. I’ve just loved planting ever since I was a kid,” Dabasol said. “I planted mangroves to serve as our natural defense against big waves and strong winds and to serve as home to a variety of marine resources. I never thought that somebody would recognize what I have done here in our small village. I am truly grateful for this recognition,” he added.

Dabasol further shared that his only technique and proven method for making his mangroves flourish and survive over the years is constant nurturing. “Taking care of my planted mangroves is like taking care of a dear child. With the help of my wife, I clear the mangrove area of plastics and other waste tangled in the roots to enable the trees to grow well. Also, to prevent organisms thriving in the area from ingesting or getting entangled to the plastics,” he said.

Dabasol’s passion for planting mangroves made rounds on social media and inspired other entities to do the same.

“A priest from my hometown requested that I assist in planting mangroves in his area. I was also requested by some offices to impart my know-how in planting mangroves,” he shares.

Atty. Antonio ‘Tony’ Oposa, Jr., a world-renowned environmental advocate who chaired the event, said that “inspiration is the highest and most powerful form of leadership. A good story is the most powerful tool to inspire and set hearts on fire.”

Meanwhile, DENR Regional Executive Director Arturo Fadriquela hopes that more individuals and groups will be inspired by the story of Dabasol and continue taking action towards environmental protection and sustainability.

Dabasol is the lone honoree from Region 8 who received the Normandy Honors for Peace with the Earth Award. He joined other honorees of the country in the fields of environment, education, law, solid waste management, road sharing, eco-governance, marine conservation, and international environmental law.(PR)

Manila -On March 22, the United States government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID), and the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA) signed a P 111.5 million ($2 million) grant partnership agreement to boost the capacities of Philippine cities to adapt to, mitigate, and manage the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.

Through this grant funding, KOICA will support the implementation of the USAID’s five-year, P836.5 million ($15 million) Climate Resilient Cities Project that benefits partner cities of Batangas, Borongan, Cotabato, Iloilo, Legazpi, and Zamboanga. KOICA’s technical assistance will enhance the capacity of local government units (LGUs) to develop guidelines for and use climate adaptation technology. More than 180 Philippine officials and stakeholders will also be invited to participate in capacity-building programs organized in the Philippines and Korea.

USAID and KOICA will also support the six LGUs and other stakeholders to more effectively disseminate climate-related information to local communities; increase access to climate financing for economic and social development; and promote natural climate solutions that strengthen cities’ resilience to climate change.

Additionally, the governments of the United States and Korea will soon launch a partnership to prevent and reduce marine pollution in Manila Bay. This partnership also seeks to enhance knowledge and influence social and behavioral changes for marine pollution reduction and prevention.

This latest agreement between USAID and KOICA follows the signing of a memorandum of understanding in April 2021 where the two leading development agencies agreed to strategically collaborate on priority programs, including climate change-related initiatives, to advance development in the Philippines.

“As the United States and Korea are among the largest bilateral donors in the Philippines, this momentous partnership of USAID, KOICA, and the Philippine government will bring together our accumulated experience and technical expertise to build climate change and disaster resilience in the country,” KOICA Country Director Eunsub Kim said.

“For 70 years, the United States and Korea have worked together to pursue mutual goals based on our core values of democracy and human rights,” said USAID Philippines Mission Director Ryan Washburn. “The United States has pledged to strengthen this alliance and broaden the focus to address issues of critical importance to the Indo-Pacific region and the world. In particular, we will deepen our cooperation in addressing the climate crisis, reducing plastic waste, and promoting advanced technologies. We will also enhance our economic cooperation and people-to-people ties,” he added.

The Philippines consistently places high in global rankings on climate change risk and vulnerability. With an average of 20 typhoons per year and frequent floods, landslides, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions, the Philippines is one of the most disaster-prone nations. According to the 2022 World Risk Index, the Philippines ranked first out of 193 countries with the highest disaster risks. Between 2011 and 2021, the country incurred more than P670 billion worth of damage and losses due to tropical cyclones alone.

The negative impacts of climate change and disasters severely impede national economic development and worsen poverty. Thus, one of the top priorities for sustainable development is to strengthen national and local climate resilience systems. The USAID-KOICA partnership supports the Philippine government’s 2023-2028 strategy framework goal to “enhance adaptive capacity and resilience of communities and ecosystems to natural hazards and climate change.”

The U.S.-ROK alliance will be marking its 70th anniversary this year. In the U.S.-ROK leader’s joint statement in May 2022, U.S. President Biden and ROK President Yoon agreed to strengthen the global comprehensive strategic alliance beyond the Korean Peninsula. (PR)