Nation

Mariano Marcos State University President Shirley Agrupis has led the establishment of the United Kingdom Chapter of the MMSU Global Alumni Network in London in an in-person and virtual event. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO BATAC CITY (November 17)—The Ilocos Norte-based Mariano Marcos State University (MMSU) has established the United Kingdom Chapter of its Global Alumni Network in its commitment to strengthening ties with the university's alumni abroad. On November 5, 2022, no other than MMSU President Shirley Agrupis who led the launching of the alumni chapter held at the Hotel London Ibis Stratford in London, United Kingdom (UK). Agrupis said MMSU graduate professionals in the European country joined the network's soft launching via in-person and online for the sa...

PREFABRICATED MANHOLE In this undated photo, Davao Light installs prefabricated manholes in Ramon Magsaysay Avenue as part of the city government’s underground cabling project. This process reduces construction time to 48 hours instead of 4 to 6 weeks. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO MANILA (November 16)—Renewable energy firm Aboitiz Power Corp. (AboitizPower) through the Davao Light and Power Co. (Davao Light) has started the second phase of the Davao City government's underground cabling project. Davao Light Power Systems Design Department head Chad Ramos said the construction on two major thoroughfares in the Poblacion District — Claro M. Recto Avenue and San Pedro Street — has been completed. Davao Light is currently working on the Ramon Magsaysay Avenue phase, which ...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LAGUNA (November 16)—A book on Philippine economic development titled Pro-poor Development Policies: Lessons from the Philippines and East Asia has been released in honor of Philippine Socioeconomic Planning Secretary Arsenio Balisacan. Director Glenn Gregorio of the Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research (Searca) said the book was presented to Balisacan during a surprise gathering of colleagues, friends, and family in celebration of his 65th birthday on Nov. 8, 2022, and officially launched at the Philippine Economic Society (PES) 60th Annual Meeting and Conference on Nov. 9, 2022, in Quezon City. Gregorio said the 750-page book which is a Festschrift — a collection of writings published in honor of an eminent scholar during his lif...

PCG personnel demonstrate lifesaving techniques at the culmination of a five-day medical training conducted by the US Embassy Civil Affairs Team in Palawan on Nov. 5, 2022. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO PALAWAN (November 13)—This province’s search and rescue and maritime law enforcement operations under the Philippine Coast Guard (PCG) received a boost in operations with additional medical training and dive equipment. The United States Embassy in Manila said 12 sets of dive equipment and emergency medical supplies were turned over by the US Embassy Civil Affairs Team (CAT) to the PCG aboard the MRRV-9701 Teresa Magbanua, the largest vessel in the PCG fleet. US Embassy CAT leader Capt. Stephen Coleman said they are honored to continue working with the PCG in Palawan "...

MANILA (November 11)—Private businesses, now more than ever, were asked to step up in their role to help solve societal issues, a leader from the United Nations Global Compact (UNGC) said during a sustainability event organized by Aboitiz Power Corporation (AboitizPower). Neha Das, a UNGC senior manager for global operations in Asia and Oceania, explained that while there is significant progress from the business community, there is still a long way to go to meet the sustainable development goals (SDGs). "Everybody needs to come together to achieve the SDGs. It's not just the government or private sector's responsibility. We have all to pitch in," Das stated in her speech on the latest episode of AboitizPower's #BetterTogether sustainability series. The series aims to raise aware...

Ifugao State University in Lagawe, Ifugao. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LAGAWE, Ifugao (September 15)—The Ifugao State University (IFSU) has convened select officials who are members of the University's Task Force for World's Universities with Real Impact (WURI) aiming to boost quality education and strengthen its international impact. Established by the Organizing Committee of the Hanseatic League of Universities (HLU), WURI is a new ranking system that evaluates the university's real contributions to society with an emphasis on creative and innovative approaches to the institution's research and educational programs. According to Dr. Marie Ann Galvez, IFSU Director of the Department of Quality Assurance, members of the WURI from ...

Central Luzon State University in Muñoz, Nueva Ecija. CONTRIBUTED PHOTO  BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO MUÑOZ, Nueva Ecija (September 15)—The Accrediting Agency of Chartered Colleges and Universities in the Philippines (AACCUP) has conducted a virtual survey visit on at least six curricular programs of Central Luzon State University (CLSU). According to the CLSU Strategic Communication Office, the university has been subjected to a virtual survey visit by the AACCUP particularly on the said curricular programs to reinforce the institution's quality of educational programs. These programs are Doctor of Philosophy in Environmental Management, Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and Bachelor of Science in Mathematics for Level 1 accreditation; and Bachelor of ...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO LOS BAÑOS, Laguna (September 14)—An annual Southeast Asia-wide competition launched by Southeast Asian Regional Center for Graduate Study and Research in Agriculture (Searca) for photography enthusiasts has set a November 30 deadline for submission of entries that focuses on emerging agricultural innovations for the next generation. Searca Director Glenn Gregorio said that for its 16th year, the annual photo contest launched by Searca is themed "Emerging Agricultural Innovations for the Next Generation." The Searca Photo Contest 2022 is open to Filipinos and nationals of Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Thailand, Timor-Leste and Vietnam. Gregorio said Searca is in search of images that show technologies and in...

BY LEANDER C. DOMINGO PALAWAN (August 18)—The United States Embassy Civil Affairs Team (CAT) donated P1.6 million ($30,000) in tents and medical supplies to support local humanitarian assistance and disaster relief preparedness in Palawan province. The embassy said the assistance was turned over to the Palawan provincial government during a ceremony in Puerto Princesa City on Aug. 12, 2022, attended by Palawan Gov. Dennis Socrates and US Embassy Acting Public Affairs Officer Nina Lewis. The embassy said members of the Philippine Coast Guard and US sailors from the hospital ship USNS Mercy (T-AH 19) aided the delivery of the tents and supplies. Since July 27, 2022, the USNS Mercy has been docked in the Philippines to participate in Pacific Partnership 2022, the largest annual m...

MANILA (August 18)—The Commission on Human Rights (CHR) has condemned the abuse of four elementary school teachers perpetrated by an unarmed suspect in the municipality of Ocampo in Camarines Sur province. The Department of Education (DepEd) said that on Aug. 8, 2022, the teachers were preparing for the school opening when they were harassed inside the campus. The police investigation also revealed that the suspect took the cellphones and cash of the teachers. In a statement, lawyer Jacqueline Ann de Guia, CHR executive director, said it is "reprehensible that valuable and committed teachers suffered such a brazen act of abuse." "It is also utterly alarming that this gender-based violence happened on school grounds, which are supposed to be safe havens for learners and teacher...