Best community newspapers for 2007

The 2007 Annual Community Press Awards spearheaded by the Philippine Press Institute (PPI), in cooperation with AIJC, honored community newspapers for excellence in reportage, editorial content and overall design and for their role as development catalysts in ceremonies held on May 29 in Manila.

Now on its 12th year, the event is the first and only awards in the Philippines for community newspapers. AIJC President Ramon R. Tuazon served as Awards National Coordinator.

For the daily category, Sunstar Davao was awarded Best in Editorial Page, Best in Science and Environmental Reporting and Best in Photojournalism, while Cebu Daily News was adjudged Best in Business Reporting and Best Edited Community Paper.

For the weekly category, the awardees were: Pampanga News - Best in Photojournalism, Baguio Midland Courier - Best in Business and Economic Reporting, Balikas - Best in Science and Environmental Reporting, Metro Post (Dumaguete) – Best in Editorial Page, and Mabuhay – Best Edited Community Paper.

Ms. Pacita U. Juan, CEO of Figaro and President of the League of Corporate Foundations, was this year’s guest speaker. Trophies and cash rewards were handed by Ms. Juan and PPI Vice Chair and Inquirer Publisher Isagani Yambot.

The occasion also launched the Civic Journalism Community Press Awards, a spin-off from the current awards program. Going beyond the newspapers’ content of news and information, the awards will now look into the efforts of member-newspapers to inspire readers to “get involved, get engaged and take ownership of problems,” said Mr. Tuazon. Thus, newspapers will serve as catalysts in transforming readers from spectators into participants in community development.

The Coca-Cola Export Corporation will be PPI’s partner in the new awards program.
       
   
PhilCeCNet elects AIJC to Executive Council

The Philippine Community eCenter Network (PhilCeCNet) Executive Council formally elected its officers on June 4, 2008 in its organizational meeting at The Legend Villas in  Mandaluyong City.  

Elected were: Molave Development Foundation, Inc.(MDFI), represented by Executive Director   Angelo Juan O. Ramos (Chairman); Department of Science and Technology – Philippine Council for Agriculture, Forestry and Natural Resources Research and Development (DOST-PCARRD), represented by Executive Director Patricio S. Faylon (Vice-Chair); and the Commission on Information and Communications Technology (CICT), represented by National Computer Center – Field Operations Office Director Maria Teresa M. Camba (Executive Secretary).

The following were also chosen to chair the various committees: Intel Technology Philippines, represented by Government Affairs Manager  Yvonne Garcia-Flores (Infrastructure); Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC), represented by Associate Director Flordeliza S. Azarcon (Content Development); University of the Philippines Open University (UPOU), represented by Associate Professor and University Registrar Dr. Melinda dP Bandalaria (Capability Building); DOST-PCARRD, represented by Dr. Faylon (Resource Mobilization); Infanta, Quezon Municipal Government, represented by Mayor Filipina Grace R. America (Membership); Nueva Vizcaya Provincial Government CeC Manager Jimmy L. Calata, and  Calamba, Laguna CeC User Carolina C. Destacamento (Chair and Vice-Chair respectively for CeC Development and Management); and  telecentre.org – International Development Research Centre (International Relations).

CICT Secretary Ray Anthony Roxas-Chua graced the occasion along with NCC Director General and CICT Commissioner Angelo Timoteo M. Diaz de Rivera. In his message, Sec. Chua, who inducted the officers and members of the Executive Council, urged the body both in their individual and collective capacities “to further the objectives of the program” with the shared vision of “a Community eCenter in every municipality” by 2010.

On the other hand, Dir. Gen. Diaz de Rivera said that the PhilCeCNet, with the composition of the Executive Council, shall launch important initiatives consequently “institutionalizing innovation in the Philippine telecenter arena.”

Elected Council Chair Dr. Ramos presided over the Council meeting. It was agreed that committee chairs shall choose their respective members and shall lead the preparation of their work plans for presentation in the next Council meeting on August 6, 2008 to be hosted by Intel.

       
   

Information bill passes Lower House

House Bill 3732 or the Freedom of Information Act has been approved on third reading at the House of Representatives on 12 May 2008.  It is now in the Senate for approval.  
“The people’s right to information is an indispensable element of a functioning democracy,” the Access to Information Network (ATIN) said in its appeal to the Senate. The Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication (AIJC) is a member of ATIN.

According to ATIN, “The ideal of a ‘government by the people’ presupposes that the people have access to information on matters of public concern. The free flow of information about the affairs of government paves the way for public participation and fosters accountability in government.”

In its position paper submitted to the Committee on Public Information and Mass Media Chairman, Sen. Ramon Revilla Jr., ATIN underscored the need for the provision on coverage and access to information to “clearly cover all possible government agency or instrumentality in all branches of government, as well as all possible information in government custody regardless of the form or format in which it is stored, by whom it is created, and its stage or status.” ATIN noted in the same paper that the lack of uniform procedure for access to information in various government agencies has been frustrating for the public who are unable to exercise their right.

ATIN also noted that due to lack of definite procedure and scope, there is no basis for imposing administrative or penal sanctions. Thus, legislation which would specify punishable acts would impose a deterrent to “the unlawful withholding of information,” ATIN said.

ATIN requested Sen. Revilla to consider the approved House version to minimize potential differences between the two chambers. ATIN is a growing network advocating people’s enjoyment of their right to information. Its other members are   Action for Economic Reforms, Ateneo Debate Society, Center for Community Journalism and Development, Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility, Lawyers’ League for Liberty (LIBERTAS), National Union of Journalists of the Philippines, Pagbabago@ Pilipinas, Philippine Center for Investigative Journalism, and Transparency and Accountability Network.
       
 
 
Environmentalists train on Technical Writing
  
 

AIJC recently conducted two training workshops on “Effective Technical Writing and Editing” for implementers of the Environmental Governance Project (EcoGov), a project that aims to reduce environmentalists funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID).

The workshops were held on May 12-13 in Polomolok, South Cotabato and May 15-16, 2008 in Cebu City, with 52 participants from the EcoGov project staff and their partners from the local government units (LGUs).

EcoGov Chief of Party, Dr. Ernesto G. Guiang, said that he looked forward to receiving better written documents on the project as the participants apply their newly-enhanced writing skills in their work.

The training workshops were enriched by the group and individual mentoring that the resource persons conducted with the participants.

The AIJC training team was composed of Mr.Ramon R. Tuazon, Dr. Madeline B. Quiamco, Ms. Ann Lourdes C. Lopez, Ms. Faina L. Diola, Ms. Forjannelle T. Dagaas, and Mr. Paul Anthony C. Alaras.

  
       
 

AIJC Facilitates Module Development Workshop

A powerhouse composed of university presidents, deans, professors, and retired educators attended a one-day workshop on module development sponsored by the CAP College Foundation and facilitated by AIJC.

Held on May 24 in Dumaguete City, the participants included previous module writers and those invited for the first time to review and write CAP modules. They were updated on new and emerging paradigms in education that may serve as pedagogical framework in the preparation of revised and new CAP Modules.

In a lecture, AIJC President Emeritus and Senior Adviser Florangel Rosario-Braid emphasized the compelling need for a paradigm shift among educators in order to develop (or re-engineer) and sustain a relevant quality CAP education.

The workshop equipped CAP College module writers to develop learner-centered modules for distance education which meets the needs and requirements of the learner; provides comprehensive competencies to attain the learner’s fullest potential, and facilitates a conducive learning environment.

According to AIJC President Ramon R. Tuazon, the workshop focused on three parts. Part one focused on old and new educational philosophies that conform with or promote a learner-oriented setting; part two discussed the parameters of a good module in terms of framework, goals and objectives, content, learning process and packaging; and part three discussed the module development process which includes procedures, requirements, and elements of a module and course guide.  

Practical lessons in writing and layouting were also presented. Lessons and experiences from other distance education institutions such as UP Open University, Polytechnic University of the Philippines OU, Asian Institute of Journalism and Communication, and Miriam College provided valuable lessons.