Archive for the ‘Positive News Media’ Category

2
May

Puerto Princesa’s “Underground River” nominated in 7 wonders of nature search

   Posted by: proudnoypi   in Environment, Positive News Media

Positive News Media

PUERTO PRINCESA CITY, April 15 (PNA) — The Puerto Princesa Subterranian River National Park (PPSRNP), located in sitio Sabang, barangay Sabang, some 81 kilometers north from the city, is being nominated as one of the candidates in the ongoing worldwide search for “New Seven Wonders of Nature”.

Declared as World Heritage Site by the United Nations Declared as World Heritage Site by the United Nations Environment, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the national park is currently rank 270th in the live ranking among the nominees.

With the inclusion of city’s national park, the country has presently represented by four nature sites in the new seven wonders search which the voting runs until Dec. 31, 2008.

The other three nominees are, Chocolate Hills in Bohol, Tubbataha Reef also in Palawan and Mayon Volcano in Legaspi City.

Chocolate Hills and Tubbataha Reef are currently settled at 7th and 9th posts, respectively.

The PPSRNP, which houses the 8.2 kilometers “Underground River”, considered the world’s longest navigable underground river.

Its most outstanding natural feature is the ever flowing water beneath the spectacular karst of mountain before emptying into the South China Sea.

Cathedral-like chambers, wide hallways and other interesting geological formations welcome wide-eyed visitors to the grotto beneath the St. Paul Mountain or the under ground river. At the mouth of the cave, ancient trees growing right in the water’s edge frame a clear lagoon. Monkeys, large monitor lizards, and squirrels find home on the beach forest near the cave.

The city government, led by Mayor Edward Hagedorn, has embarked on a campaign to make the cut of 77 nominees by yearend via internet voting, and get into the second round of selection for the top 21 nature sites to be announced in January.

It was declared a premier ecotourism destination and has been inscribed in the UNESCO World Heritage lists for its outstanding universal value and ecological significance as a natural site of intense beauty.

Record showed that tourist arrivals in the park has continued to rise, with 63,271 visitors recorded in 2007, increasing by 17,003 or 36.75 percent compared to 46,268 visitors in 2006.
For those Filipinos worldwide who want to support for the country’s four nature sites, may cast their vote by logging on to the website www.new7wonders.com. (PNA)

Links

No Comments
28
Apr

San Carlos City mobile teacher receives presidential award for volunteerism

   Posted by: proudnoypi   in Education, Positive News Media, Proud to be Pinoy

Positive News Media

A mobile teacher from Quezon Boulevard here was chosen as the 2007 National Awardee in the Search for Outstanding Volunteers.

San Carlos City mobile teacher receives presidential award for volunteerismDr. Edwin Ferrer received a medal from President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo in a ceremony at the Edsa Shangrila in Mandaluyong City last December. Dr. Ferrer presented his medal to San Carlos City Mayor Julier Resuello on January 10, 2008 at the latter’s office.

Ferrer received a Presidential Award on Volunteerism in recognition of his outstanding work in championing the cause of the vulnerable sectors of society through his initiatives in the continued education and rehabilitation of inmates and their families.

He was also cited for his contribution to the functional literacy for adults, out-school-youth and senior citizens by providing them support to gain self-confidence, dignity, and opportunity for social integration.

At the same time, the Department of Education (DepEd) commended Ferrer, who is a mobile teacher under the Bureau of Alternative Learning Systems (BALS).

In the awards ceremony, President Arroyo stressed that “we need more teachers like Dr. Edwin Ferrer who is a ‘virtually heroes’, crossing mountains and rivers just to provide basic education to out-of-school youth and adults who still want to learn.”

Recognizing the productive efforts of mobile teachers, Mrs. Arroyo cited that the budget for alternative learning has been increased three times from Php 76 million in 2006 to Php 230 million in 2007.

This budget increase enabled DepEd to hire 300 more mobile teachers, who teach in community learning centers such as a barangay hall, chapel, factory, reading center, or a house.

Ferrer was chosen as the National Awardee from among 38 nominees from both public and private organizations.

He has been a mobile teacher for eight years in 86 barangays within Pangasinan, thus, raising the level of literacy in these barangays.

Mobile teachers teach in areas with high illiteracy rate, a huge population of out-of-school youth, and where education is hampered by insurgency.

At present there are 1,381 mobile teachers all over the country.

The search for outstanding volunteers is spearheaded by the Philippine National Volunteer Service Coordinating Agency.

Presidential Proclamation No. 55 mandates the celebration of National Volunteer Month every December.

In order to bolster this Presidential Proclamation, President Arroyo also ratified Republic Act 9418, or the Volunteer Act of 2007, institutionalizing volunteerism as one of the strategies for national development. (PNA)

Links

No Comments