Malacañang to sign UNESCO for protection and promotion of cultural diversity needed-Legarda

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 20, 2011-Senator Loren Legarda, Chair of the Senate Committee on Cultural Communities and a staunch advocate of the preservation of cultural heritage urged Malacañang to sign the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions that is much needed in the country where its entry clearly showed the urgency and political commitment for action by the international community.

“In 2005, the Convention was adopted and entered into force as early as 2007 where it was a legally-binding international agreement that recognized the importance of traditional knowledge, knowledge systems of indigenous peoples and its positive contribution to sustainable development and it also encouraged artists, cultural professionals, practitioners and citizens worldwide to create, produce, disseminate and enjoy a broad range of cultural goods, services and activities,” she said, adding that the Philippines should follow suit and make cultural preservation with 116 state parties today as one of the country’s priorities.

Legarda said that we have been missing out the opportunity to access the International Fund for Cultural Diversity by not being a state party on the convention, a fund which could have supported activities geared towards the strengthening of institutional infrastructure and cultural industries, mapping of our cultural communities, funding for research and education, and the preservation of our dying art forms, among others where it was created for the promotion of sustainable development and poverty reduction in developing and least developed countries through the emergence of a dynamic cultural sector.

The Senator said that UNESCO recognizes that culture can no longer be a by-product of development, but rather the mainstream for sustainable development.

During the 1st call for applications launched in March 2010, thirty-one projects out of 250 requests for funding by state parties and international NGOs have been approved by the Convention’s Intergovernmental Committee; thus, to protect Philippine contemporary art as well as the customs, handicrafts, and way of life of the more than 110 ethno-linguistic groups all over the country, the Senator believes that Malacañang will merit favorable action on the said convention. (Jason de Asis)

Proper ICT usage useful in emergency situations says Angara

SENATE OFFICE, Manila, March 20, 2011-Senator Edgardo J. Angara, chair of the Senate Committee on Science and Technology remarked that Information Communication Technology (ICT) proper usage in the increasing usefulness of social networking sites and other modern forms of communication are useful during emergency situations where the communication lines serve as lifelines for emergency response.

In today’s wake up call for all the disasters that hits the different part of the world, the Senator furthered that ICT over the past decade have given us so many ways to keep in contact with each other and the rest of the world where he cited online people finders for those still missing in disaster-stricken areas, continuous news feeds in Twitter and Facebook from news outfits, as well as emergency hotlines that are created to facilitate cross-country communication for our OFWs.

“There are also relief organizations which set up information pages with links to online maps, local emergency numbers, and a list of donation options for those who want to give monetary aid,” Angara cited.

“However, to help Japan and other affected areas people should also be wary of false websites asking for donations. They use the name of known charity organizations and ask internet users to deposit money into fake accounts,” he furthered.

Angara warned the public that these scammers try to take advantage of gullible internet users who are eager to help in whatever way possible. “They would lose their hard-earned money, plus there is also an added risk of identity theft if they submit personal information,” he added.

Angara who authored Senate bill 52 otherwise known as Cybercrime prevention act have heavy penalties for internet fraud and identity theft where it is now pending in the Senate and for discussion at the plenary. (Jason de Asis)