January 17, 2011
Nine hundred forty nine trafficking in persons cases in ten years or nearly a hundred Filipinos victimized each year — such was the situation seven years ago when Republic Act 9208 or the Anti-Trafficking in Persons Act was enacted.
Today, it is estimated that more than 2000 Filipinos fall prey into trafficking each year.
Distinguished colleagues, behind these numbers are stories of individuals whose freedom of choice is impaired by desperation or helplessness, thus rendering them vulnerable to exploitation. Victims […]
Read More
January 13, 2011
As UNISDR regional champion, I am pleased to be a part of this momentous region-wide launch of UNISDR’s campaign, Making Cities and Municipalities Resilient: “My City, My Town is Getting Ready!”
I am aware of the significant efforts made by the partner stakeholders to make this important event happen.
With 50 mayors and 30 vice mayors, together with Governor Gwen Garcia and all the other key stakeholders in the Province of Cebu and in Region VII gathered here for a collective purpose […]
Read More
December 1, 2010
MANIFESTATION
Mr. President, about a week ago, parliamentarians from ten Asian countries, including the Philippines, met here in Manila for a three-day Consultative Meeting on “Disaster Risk Reduction: An Instrument for Achieving the Millennium Development Goals”.
After our exchange of views and experiences on the various effects of disasters and the impact of climate change in our respective countries, this representation, along with legislators from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Maldives, Pakistan and Thailand, forged “The Manila Call for […]
Read More
November 22, 2010
Mr. President,
It cannot be stressed enough that we only have five years left to halve poverty, eliminate illiteracy, improve health and fully realize the other Millennium Development Goals.
Across the globe, the situation is immensely challenging. The Global Monitoring Report 2010: the MDGs after the Crisis, revealed that between 2009 and 2015, 1.2 million more children under five and 262,000 more infants will die. In 2015, an estimated 350,000 more students might not complete their primary education. Moreover, 100 […]
Read More
November 15, 2010
MANIFESTATION
About 1.57 billion Muslims worldwide[1] will celebrate tomorrow the Eid’l Adha—the Feast of Sacrifice that commemorates a story of dedication and obedience to God.
Mr. President, the Eid’l Adha is one of the two important feasts of Islam. While the Philippines is a predominantly Christian nation, it is incumbent upon us to accord the proper respect to other faiths and religions, as any democratic state ought to do. This was our motivation when we pushed the passage of a […]
Read More
