Volume 7 Issue 1 March 2009

The EU follows an integrated approach to food and process-oriented controls throughout the food chain, safety, with the objective of assuring a high level of from farm to fork. Spot checks on the end product alone The EU food safety, animal health, animal welfare and plant would not provide the same level of safety, quality and health within the European Union through coherent transparency to the consumer. farm-to-fork measures, through effective monitoring and The European Commission’s Directorate-General for Integrated oversight, and ensuring at the same time the effective Health and Consumers (DG SANCO) works to ensure functioning of the internal market. It should be stressed that Europe’s food supply is the safest in the and that the general principles on which the rules on food that the same standards of food safety apply to all prod- imports are based are no more restrictive than the ucts regardless of origin. Approach to health rules applied to the EU Member States. In its application of food safety rules, the EU tries to EU citizens have legitimate high expectations re- be proportionate in its response to food safety problems. garding the safety and quality of their food, especially A good example would be the coordinated approach by Food Safety in light of the food scares experienced in the nineties the European Commission services that set into motion (e.g., salmonella in eggs, E. coli in meat, dioxins in various technical assistance initiatives to help the Philip- food and feed, BSE, ,etc.). These incidents put safety pines competent authority address the deficiencies noted on top of the EU food policies agenda, which led to a by an inspection mission of the Food and Veterinary Of- restructuring of EU food legislation. fice (FVO) back in 2004 (instead of adopting safeguard To meet these expectations, the EU implements measures against Philippine fishery and aquaculture ex- the principle of quality management ports to the EU). Technical assistance is continually on- going to help address the remaining deficiencies in this sector. Another good example is the outbreak of high patho- genic avian flu in . The Commission, in full conformity with the relevant international More RP Fishery Operators code of the OIE, imposed a ban on imports. However, EU excluded Enter the EU Market imports of certain cooked poultry meat products By ERIC M. LOPEZ, Communications and Visibility Officer, TRTA continued to page 3 More and more fishery business operators are now able to ex- to establish the necessary steps known as port their products to the European Union. critical control points (CCPs) to eliminate or re- After a series of delisting, the Bureau of Fisheries and duce occurrence of these hazards. Aquatic Resources (BFAR) has noted the steady increase of The HACCP system is the bedrock of the EU Feed fishery business operators (FBOs) getting Hazard Analy- and Food Law (EC Regulation 178/2002) and finds strong sis Critical Control Point (HACCP) recognition to ex- reiteration in its application across the food supply chain in port their products to the EU market, Dennis EC Regulation 852/2004: Hygiene of Foodstuffs and EC Regula- Tiotangco, Head of the BFAR Fish Inspection Unit tion 853/2004: Laying Down Specific Hygiene Rules for Food of Delegation of (FIU) said. Animal Origin. the European Commission to In 2008, additional 16 Philippine-registered In the same year, Tiotangco disclosed there were five addi- the fishing vessels passed the rigid inspection of tional processing and service-provider plants that passed the HACCP conducted by the Bureau of Fisheries HACCP recognition process and more are due for approval this and Aquatic Resources–FIU (FIU) and for year. which EU recognizes pursuant to EC Regula- The increase in number of approved FBO establishments car- 30th Floor, Tower II tions 852/2004 and 853/2004. To-date, ries with it certain positive implications on major economic RCBC Plaza, 6819 Ayala Avenue there are 36 fishing vessels that BFAR-FIU fronts: more workers getting employed, more industries in the en- 1200 Makati City, Philippines Tel.: (+63-2)859-5100 has accredited. ergy and service sectors actively being tapped, and increase in ex- Fax: (+63-2) 859-5109 The HACCP system is a preventive sys- port revenues. E-mail: DELEGATION- tem and a management tool of reducing The fishing vessels that were recently approved have tonnage [email protected] risks from potential physical, biological, capacities from 500 to 1200, Tiotangco said. Website: and chemical hazards to ensure food They are actively supplying the EU-approved fish processing http//www.delphl.ec.europa.eu safety. It is used to identify these hazards continued to page 6 ISSN 1830-0022 what’s inside a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue • RP Joins Seminar on SPS for ASEAN Countries in Brussels /p.2 • Laboratory Training in Diagnosis of Avian Influenza /p.10 • The Pilot ARASFF Project /p.4 • Bridging the Boundaries Peace and Community Development /p.11 • Workshop on the EU food Labelling Legislation /p.5 • JPIC-IDC Inc. Unfolds its Story /p.12 • EU Fishery and Aquaculture Standard /p.7 • GREEN CORNER /p.14 • BFAR Gets Boost /p.8 • Rizal na, Europa pa! /p.15 • EC Workshops on the Prevention of Avian Influenza /p.9 • Catchwise /p.16

EU News is available online at http://www.delphl.ec.europa.eu • You may also email [email protected] if you want an electronic copy. RP joins seminar on The year 2009 started on a positive light for the Delegation of the European Commission to the SPS for ASEAN Philippines as one of its project grantees called Catchwise a consortium of NGOs, civil society or- ganizations, local government units based in countries in Brussels Visayas region, won the first ever Communication By Lara G. Vivas, Senior Science Reasearch Specialist Award in the European Commission in Brussels. Bureau of Agriculture and Fisheries Product Standards We hope that the award will inspire other orga- nizations involved in the fight against illegal traffick- A seminar on Sanitary and Phytosanitary Issues for ASEAN Coun- ing of women and children. tries was organized by the EC in collaboration with the Emerging This issue of EU News is focused on sanitary Markets Group, Development Solutions Inc. and the Central Science and phytosanitary issues to inform our partners Laboratories. and stakeholders of the current programmes to The SPS seminar was held at the Albert Borschette Center in Brus- hasten trade and investment between EU and the sels from 25 to 27 of November 2008. region including the Philippines. Representatives from nine (9) ASEAN countries, namely , The EU News thanks all partners who contrib- , , Laos, , , Philippines, Thai- uted to this issue. land and participated in the exercise. Theme for next quarter is health sector reform The Philippines was fortunate to able to join and send five (5) programme. Deadline for contributions for next participants from the regulatory agencies of the Department of Agri- quarter’s issue is on 29 May 2009. Articles maybe culture (DA). submitted to DELEGATION-PHILIPPINES The Philippine delegation was headed by Atty. Jane Bacayo, Ex- @ec.europa.eu ecutive Director of the National Meat Inspection Service (NMIS). The other members of the delegation were Dr. Florence Silvano from the THELMA A. GECOLEA Quarantine Service of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Mr. Ramon Millori from the Plant Quarantine Division of the DA-Re- gional Field Unit XI (DA RFU XI), Mr. Dennis Tiotangco, Head of the HACCP Inspection Team of the Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Re- sources (BFAR), and Ms. Lara G. Vivas of the Bureau of Agriculture New Faces and Fisheries Product Standards (BAFPS). The seminar was geared to provide participants with a good un- BENEDIKT MADL joined the Delegation as derstanding of the EU’s SPS import requirements; facilitate discus- programme manager for trade with responsi- sions leading to mutual understanding and practical insights; and bilities for the Trade Related Technical Assis- provide advice on any particular issues for ASEAN members regarding tance Programme as well as SPS/TBT and the application of the EU SPS measures. customs matters. Prior to this posting he In achieving the objectives of the seminar, various presentations worked in the Directorate General for Trade on relevant EU directives, standards and regulations were ex- on EU- trade relations. In this function pounded, focusing on risk assessment, border inspection post proto- he was responsible among others for setting up the EU-China High Level Economic and Trade Mechanism at vice-presidential cols, animal health control systems, EU residue monitoring plans for level and pursuing trade in services and investment questions. animal products, aquatic products and plant products. Before joining the European Commission as a National expert he A similar discussion was also undertaken regarding the proce- was Deputy Head of the Lower Austrian EU office in Brussels. dures for the EU Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (EU RASFF). Benedikt has an educational background in economics, po- Also, the step by step control mechanisms being implemented by EU litical science and Chinese studies. He wrote his Ph.D on for its imports from ASEAN countries were outlined. China’s brain-drain to Europe. At the end of the sessions and presentations, plenary for the ques- In his past time Benedikt enjoys skiing, mountain climbing tions were carried out. In here, country specific concerns, particu- and playing with his 3 month old daughter. larly actual EU-ASEAN country trade issues were clarified and given recommendations. Likewise, an online demonstration on the NAYIA BARMPALIOU joined the Delegation website assisting traders and other agencies exporting to the EU was as a Junior Expert, assuming the post of Po- conducted. Again, country specific issues were clarified and given litical and Human Rights Officer in February recommendations by the representatives from the EU DG SANCO 2009. Before joining the EC, Nayia was an and DG Trade. Attorney-at-Law in , focusing primarily in civil law cases, and working pro bono for Overall, the exercise was very helpful in understanding the proce- immigrants and asylum seekers. Her first ex- dures and protocols being followed by the EU and also by third perience of the European Institutions' working environment was countries that have trade with EU countries. In line with this, it is rec- in 2006 when she was a trainee at EC's DG EuropeAid Coop- ommended that similar exercises and seminars be conducted in or- eration Office, and then at the European Parliament's Human der to provide good understanding of the EU’s SPS import require- Rights Unit where she worked as a fellow in 2008. Nayia stud- ments and facilitate discussions leading to mutual understanding and ied Law at the Democritus University of Thrace, Greece and at practical insights in exporting to the EU. Aarhus University, , and then did her Master's in Hu- In addition, the seminar not only provided technical discussion man Rights and Democratisation at the European Inter-University a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue and exchange of ideas among the EU and the ASEAN countries but Centre, as well as at the Maastricht Law School, the Neth- also cultural enrichment particularly for the ASEAN delegates. erlands. Her educational background further includes certificates in International Relations and International Law from Panteion University, Greece and Tulane University, USA, respectively.

2 Rapid Alert System...from page 1 consumption. In the area of food safety, there are various from this ban because it is accepted that cooking The EU recognizes the fact that it is impos- ongoing and completed projects, particularly re- destroys the virus. This distinction allowed the sible to check all products at the border or at the garding fishery and aquaculture products, that EU market to remain open to 40% of Thai ex- place of destination, and it therefore relies on food have benefited the Philippines. Apart from the bi- ports, the most high value added component of operators and competent authorities to undertake lateral programme “Trade related Technical As- their trade (in contrast with virtually all other controls to ensure food safety. The competent sistance (TRTA)”, which just started its second countries which imposed a total ban on all poul- authorities in the countries in which foodstuffs are phase, there are annual training programmes initi- try products). produced are therefore responsible for carrying ated by Directorates General Trade, and Health It should be noted that the EU food safety out inspections and certifying that the health rules and Consumers targeting Philippine agencies in- measures are also soundly based on science on production and the health safety standards laid volved in food safety issues under the Depart- and respect international obligations. All proposed down in Community legislation are correctly ap- ments of Agriculture and Health (primarily the measures with a potential trade impact are noti- plied and checked. Bureau of Food and Drugs). fied to the WTO, to allow EUs trading partners to While the Commission recognises the com- In this newsletter, we have tried to feature comment on their compatibility with the relevant petence of designated competent authorities in its the recent technical assistance initiatives to help international norms. trading partners to ensure that EU regulations are strengthen the capacity of the concerned Philip- The EU is the world’s biggest importer and complied, the Commission also acknowledges pine organizations implement food safety mea- exporter of foodstuffs – the EU, for example, is that EU rules are not easy to understand. Thus, sures. We hope that by encouraging and helping increasingly dependent on imports of fishery and the Commission implements various technical the Philippines comply with EU food safety stan- aquaculture products to meet its needs. In 2007 assistance programmes to help third countries dards, the Philippine Government will be in a alone, the EU imported .16 billion worth of fish- understand better the EU rules and implement better position to protect its consumers and ex- ery products, accounting for 60% of total fish the legislation properly. pand exports to other developed countries.

The RASFF Legal basis for the RASFF The rapid alert system for food and feed Regulationof the European Parliament and of the Council laying down the general (RASFF) is a concrete and visible result of a principles and requirements of food law, establishing the European Food Safety Au- thority and laying down the procedures in matters of food safety successful European integrated approach to ensure food safety. The quick exchange of Article 50 information in cases of consignments entail- 1. A rapid alert system for the notification of a di- The notification shall be accompanied by a de- ing food safety risks among food and feed rect or indirecdt risk to human health deriving from food tailed explanation of the reasons for the action taken by competent authorities ensures coherent and or feed is hereby established as a network. I shall in- the competent authorities of the Member State in which simultaneous actions by all Member States. volve the Member States, the Commission and the Au- the notification was issued. It shall be followed in good thority. The Member States, the Commission and the Au- time, by supplementary information in particular where According to Health Commissioner thority shall each designate a contact point, which shall the measures on which the notification is based are Androulla Vassiliou, “Europe’s Rapid Alert be a member of the network. The Commission shall be modified withdrawn. System for Food and Feed plays an impor- responsible for managing the network. The Commission shall immediately transmit to members of the network the notification and supplemen- tant role in our efforts to ensure a high level 2. Where a member of the network has any informa- tary information received under the first and second sub- of food safety for EU citizens. It allows us to tion relating to the existence of a serious direct or indi- paragraphs. prevent food safety crises, and identify rect risk to human health deriving from food or feed this Where a batch container or cargo is rejected by a information shall be immediately notified to the Commis- competent authority at a border post within the European problems at an early stage, thereby mini- sion under the rapid alert system. The Commission shall Union, the Commission shall immediately notify all the mising potential health threats. Awareness transmit this information immediately to the members of boarder posts within the European Union as well as the about the RASFF is rising, it is becoming the network. third country of origin. The Authority may supplement the notification with stronger and more effective as time goes by, any scientific or technical information, which will facili- 4. Where a food or feed which has been the sub- and serves as a model to other countries tate rapid, appropriate risk management action by the ject of a notification under the rapid alert system has looking for ways to improve the levels of Member States. been dispatched to a third country, the Commission shall provide the latter with the appropriate information. consumer protection.” 3. Without prejudice to other Community legisla- The Commission is keen on promoting tion, the Member States shall immediately notify the 5. The Member States shall immediately inform the RASFF system as a model for other re- Commission under the rapid alert system of: the Commission of the action implemented or measures a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue a) any measure they adopt which is aimed at re- taken following receipt of the notifications and supple- gions of the world. Concrete steps in that stricting the plating on the market or forcing the with- mentary information transmitted under the rapid alert direction have been taken, such as develop- drawal from the market or the recall of food or feed in or- system. The Commission shall immediately transmit der to protect human health and requiring rapid action; this information to the members of the network. ing a web interface enabling third countries b) any recommendation or agreement with profes- to monitor notifications which concern sional operators which is aimed, on a voluntary or 6. Participation in the rapid alert system may be them. obligatory basis at preventing, limiting, or imposing spe- opened up to applicant countries third countries or cific conditions on the placing on the market or the even- internation organizations on the basis of aggreements tual use of food or feed on account of a seriuos to human between the Community and those countries or interna- Important tool requiring rapid action; tional organizations in accordance with the procedures c) any rejection related to a direct or indirect risk defined in those agrfeements. The latter shall be based to human health of a batch container or cargo of food or on reciprocity and shall include confidentiality mea- The RASFF is a tool enabling the quick and feed by a competent authority at a border post within the sures equivalent to those applicable in the Community. effective exchange of information between EU European Union. Member States and the Commission when risks to human health are detected in the food and feed chain. All Members of the RASFF (EU-27, Making food safer food or feed. This exchange of information helps European Commission, European Food Safety Member States to act more rapidly and in a co- Authority (EFSA) as well as , A rapid alert system for food has been oper- ordinated manner in response to a health threat Liechtenstein and ) have a round-the- ating within the European Commission since caused by food or feed. Its effectiveness is en- clock service to ensure that urgent notifications 1979. sured by keeping its structure simple: it consists are sent, received and responded to in the The RASFF was put in place to provide food essentially of clearly identified contact points in shortest time possible. Thanks to RASFF, many and feed control authorities with an effective tool the Commission and at national level in member food safety risks have been averted before to exchange information about measures taken countries, exchanging information in a clear and they could harm consumers. responding to serious risks detected in relation to structured way. continued to page 6

3 Philippines delegates to the Regional Workshops on the Rapid Alert System for Food and Feed (RASFF) held in Jakarta, Indonesia last 3-5 June 2008.

The Pilot ARASFF Project: A Personal Account by Amor G. Diaz, NCP-Philippines, Pilot ARASFF Project, BFAR

Background ASEAN Network Efforts a much faster and efficient way of ex- changing information between or among The formation of the Pilot ASEAN Since 2006, series of National Contact concerned Competent Authorities (CAs) at Rapid Alert System for Feed and Food Point (NCP) meetings and related trainings/ the national and ASEAN-network levels, (ARASFF) Project in the ASEAN region was workshops had been jointly organized through web-based technology. It is an spearheaded by Thailand, in cooperation and funded by the Thai government and effective system tool that allows active in- with other ASEAN countries and with a EC – Directorate General for Health and teraction and feedback mechanism to take strong support from the EC Delegation to Consumers (DG SANCO through the Na- place instantly, in to safeguard pub- Thailand beginning mid-2005. The tional Bureau of Agricultural Commodity lic health & product safety. As such, project officially commenced in 2006, & Food Standards (ACFS) and EC Delega- RASFF can further enhance and (indi- with an initial 1 year life on its first phase. tion to Thailand, respectively), in view of rectly) strengthen the country’s existing of- It has been recently extended, and is now the continuous development and im- ficial control system at the border and operating on its second phase life. In Au- provement of the ARASFF system. These market levels by employing a precaution- gust 2008, the ARASFF project was al- activities were undertaken to ensure that ary approach in disseminating information ready officially recognized & endorsed by ARASFF will complement and easily adapt (i.e., notification) to concerned parties. the ASEAN at the latest Special SOM- 29th to the national food control system of the However, the lack of specific legal Meeting AMAF held in Chiangmai, Thai- ASEAN network, as well as the non-net- basis for enforcement and well-defined land. Currently, the pilot project has six work members. These technical trainings/ working policy/procedures for implemen- network members, namely: Thailand workshops on RASFF were organized un- tation at national level is a major gap/ con- (project host/ administrator), Philippines, der the framework of the “Better Training straint in adopting ARASFF/RASFF, espe- Malaysia, Vietnam, Cambodia and for Safer Food” programme of DG SANCO. cially if this system will potentially have (di- Myanmar. The rest of the ASEAN countries To-date, the continuous effort on the fur- rect or indirect) economic implication on are currently observers in the ARASFF sys- ther improvement of ARASFF’s user guide the domestic & export trade activities of tem by their choice. manual (draft), application system (Ver. the implementing country. 4.0), and laying down the working policy In terms of constraints, the lack of or ARASFF Principle and Mechanism & procedures were some of the major out- inadequate infrastructure facility & man- puts from these several meetings & power, funding support, national pro- The ARASFF was modeled from the trainings conducted under the guidance of gram for adopting the system, trained per- EU-RASFF, with similar objective as in both EU and ARASFF project technical sonnel, political will (commitment) of the providing a system that allows the rapid experts. relevant implementing CAs, overlapping/ exchange of information between and conflicting jurisdictional mandates of in- among the network members in the Benefits, Gaps & Constraints: volved CAs and the lack of coordination ASEAN community to better manage food A Personal Perspective among them could be the significant fac- & feed safety controls at both border and tors to consider. It is therefore vital for market levels. By mechanism, the network In terms of adopting the ARASFF system each network (including non-network) member who discovers the problem will in the country today, there are benefits, member to make an objective evaluation notify the ARASFF Administrator (Thai- gaps and constraints that can be possibly first of their exsiting infrastructure facility, land), and in turn, will notify all network encountered in the process of integration manpower capacity and available re- members via the system. The concerned and the eventual implementation of the sources; review or create legal basis for na- exporting country will also be directly in- system. tional RASFF enforcement; and come up formed by the notifying country for its ap- At personal level, I would like to share with well-defined implementing guidelines propriate action to ensure food safety my thoughts on this matter based on my to ensure that it will run smoothly and will and public health. experience and knowledge on ARASFF. In serve its purpose to uphold the interest of terms of benefits, ARASFF or RASFF in gen- the implementing country from the stand- a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue eral, can definitely improve and provide point of food safety & economic welfare.

The RASFF...from page 3 the Commission also informs the relevant authori- ter Training for Safer Food”. The Commission RASFF and the Philippines: In the case ties so they can take appropriate actions. RASFF has also financially supported a pilot ASEAN of the Philippines, the Commission notifies the has therefore helped the country make its food Rapid Alert System for Food, set up between concerned authorities when a product exported to safer both through its exports and imports. Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia, Cambodia, Philip- the EU has been the subject of a notification, so pines and Myanmar. The ultimate goal of the corrective measures may be taken and the prob- Promoting food safety worldwide Commission’s overall efforts in this field will be to lem does not happen again. In the same vein, join all of these national and regional systems in when the Commission receives information that a The Commission has helped interested coun- a global network of food safety alert systems. product notified in the RASFF is imported into or tries outside the EU develop a national system to distributed to the Philippines (regardless whether improve consumer protection. Training seminars For more information, see: http://europa.eu.int/ this is originating in the EU or outside the EU), were organised in 2007 under the initiative “Bet- comm/food/food/rapidalert/index_en.htm

4 Philippine Participants to the EU Training/ Workshop on Food labelling legislation and standards. (From left to right) Guinevere Pastrana, Rosemarie Juaño, Elane Malalay and Gloria Peña Workshop on the EU Food Labelling Legislation and Traceability held in Bangkok, Thailand

The Training/Workshop involved participation of represen- Labelling in Thailand and other ASEAN Countries, and “Traffic tatives from competent authorities in thirteen (13) countries of Light” Labels. South East Asia (, Brunei, Cambodia, , Indo- The workshop was comprehensive, informative and valu- nesia, Laos PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Philippines, , able. It is very much applicable to Philippine Situation and Thailand, Vietnam, Hongkong and ) who are directly timely since at present our organization has draft Administra- involved in the design of regional/national legislations and tive Orders on Food Labelling, and Nutrition and Health standards on food labeling matters and in the enforcement of Claims. Some provisions in EU legislations may be incorpo- their application, in particular in relation with foodstuffs ex- rated in our draft. However, there were topics which we ported to the European Union (EU) market. found are not yet applicable to the present Philippine set It covered technical issues such as general food labelling, up, such as “traffic light” systems, GMO, Geographical Indica- nutrition labelling, specific food labelling (genetically modi- tions, and Organic Labelling, since we are still in the process fied organisms, geographic indications, halal, etc.) and related of formulating our own basic guidelines. However, these can certification and traceability systems. be included probably after we have formulated our own basic The theme “Better Training for Safer Food” is a European guidelines on food labelling. Nonetheless, we found these Commission – Health and Consumers Directorate General topics are valuable tools especially where the harmonization initiative aimed at organizing a community (EU) training strat- of our standards with the international communities con- egy in the areas of food law, feed law, animal health and ani- cerned. mal welfare rules, as well as plant health rules. With our attendance, we became knowledgeable on vari- The objectives of the programme are to: ous EU legislations specifically on food labelling requirements - ensure and maintain a high level of consumer protec- of which our country maybe able to meet, adopting some pro- tion and of animal health, animal welfare and plant visions in EU legislation for the export of Philippine products health; to the European countries. Thus, our attitude became posi- - promote a harmonized approach to the operation of tively inclined to adopting some provisions in their legislation. community and national control systems; However, the organizers hope to achieve a multiplier effect, - create an equal level playing field for all food busi- wherein the information and knowledge gained from the nesses; workshop will eventually be shared and utilized by the com- - enhance trade of safe food; and petent authorities as well as private sector operators. - ensure fair trade with third countries and in particular Accordingly, this training is a series of ten (10) regional developing countries. training workshops with different topics, hopefully, when the Topics discussed were Food labelling, Traceability, Geo- group from the different countries meet again there will be graphic Indications, Organic Labelling, GMO Labelling, Nutri- positive news to share in terms of applicability. tion and Health Claims, Concepts of Nutrition Profiles in Rela- tion to the EU Legislation, EU Legislation on Food Fortification • By Guinevere Pastrana, Rosemarie Juano, Elane Malalay and and Food Supplements, Overview of Legislation on Nutrition Gloria Peña, Beureau of Food and Drugs. a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue

Participants to the EU Training/ Workshop on Food labelling legislation and standards held in Bangkok, Thailand, 11-13 March 2008.

5 More Fishery Operators...from page 1

establisments and canneries in the Philip- ented understanding in ensuring food The BFAR has about 50 inspectors pines, , Indonesia, Ja- safety in the context of actual operational with notable concentration in General pan and Thailand. setup. Santos City, Zamboanga City, and the Na- On the other hand, the plants that re- Tiotangco observed that the FBOs who tional Capital Region. cently passed the HACCP examination have undergone TRTA training have come are into packing fresh deboned bangus or up with adequate HACCP plans and BFAR milkfish (Chanos chanos) or functioning as were, thus, competent in seeing through service-providers like having their cold the implementation of their food safety As the inspection system of BFAR storage facilities available for use for a fee commitments. The FBOs were also able to grows in complexity and widens its scope, or providing ice to other plants. effectively manage their identified CCPs or Tiotangco said that through TRTA 2, it will Tiotangco cited the FBOs have profited in simple terms, manage their risks from start laying the groundwork for ISO immensely from the training on HACCP being realized. For example, at the early 17020. Although this undertaking cuts a and Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP) processing stage, a risk borne by histamine long-term scale before BFAR-FIU becomes that TRTA has provided them. He said that could be potentially high if receiving the ISO17020-certified, EU’s recognition of these establishments benefited from the raw materials is done only with visual in- BFAR as competent authority for over five TRTA training on GMP-HACCP. spection without the required post-harvest years provides solid institutional experi- There was a total of 243 FBOs trained documentation such as origin, date, time, ence for the unit to competently manifest in HACCP for free as TRTA concluded its size, temperature and volume of harvest to the readiness of its capacity for the ISO operations in October 2008. form part in assessing the quality and certification on a relatively shorter pro- The training took into account risks safety of the raw materials . cessing period. that can potentially breach food safety Tiotangco, however, differentiated BFAR, among the food-oriented regu- across every step of processing food— and TRTA-trained FBOs from those that have latory agencies of the Philippine Depart- it extended further to include pre-process- trained in GMP-HACCP. ment of Agriculture, stands as the only EU- ing and post-processing stages such as He said, TRTA-trained FBOs dutifully recognised competent authority as of to- qualifying raw materials and packing of attended to their HACCP tasks and have day. finished products, respectively. become more thorough in the conduct of In trading terms, its health certification A significant feature of the training in- quality and safety profiling of raw materi- and HACCP certification on Philippine cluded a one-on-one “clinical” diagnosis als rather than engaging in visual inspec- fishery and aquaculture product exports of an FBO’s plant operation by the TRTA tion right away. are directly recognised by the European expert on sanitary and phytosanitary (SPS) In fact, Tiotangco noted that the FBOs Commission. on the actual problems affecting the have become more articulate regarding ISO 17020 deals on the examination viability of complying with GMP and their planned management steps over of materials, products, installation, plant HACCP. their unique CCPs. Therefore, the co-op- processes, works procedures or services The interaction between the FBO and eration of the BFAR inspection team and and determines their conformity with the expert provided an in-depth under- the FBOs reinforces the commitment of regulations, standards, and regulations standing of how a food safety problem the latter in ensuring food safety standards and the subsequent official reporting of could be addressed within the context of are compliant to HACCP on a long-term the examination results (to concerned real and specific processing operation. sustainable basis. parties such as the FBOs and supervisory This approach in capacity-building pro- The pivotal role of TRTA begins when authorities), according to the International vided immediate and useful translation of the HACCP system works within the op- Organisation for Standardization. a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue concept-based learning into action-ori- erational setup of the FBOs, but this does The International Organisation for not mean that ensuring food safety is de- Standardization (ISO) cites that ISO 17020 limited to the HACCP system nor is it an was drawn from EN 45005 which was exclusive responsibility of an FBO. The crafted by the European Committee for complementation between the FBO and Standardization (CEN) and the European regulatory agency falls under the Committee for Electrotechnical Standard- overarching control measures embedded ization (CENE-LEC). The ISO Committee in SPS as regards food trading. on Conformity Assessment subsequently Under the second phase of TRTA, adopted the ISO 17020 to meet a per- Tiotangco cited that the fishery inspection ceived market need for an international system will be further strengthened by in- consensus-based normative document on tegrating traceability with the SPS control requirements for inspection bodies. measures. Traceability will provide critical Having an ISO 17020 certification is information on production account from BFAR-FIU’s long-term goal. Being eventu- the origin of the raw materials to handling ally certified as such will accord BFAR-FIU of finished products. a market confidence that will be useful He identified that a training course on not only to facilitate domestic trade but risk based sampling for sample verification also FBOs of ASEAN member-states need- for the BFAR inspectors is scheduled un- ing certification to export their fishery der the TRTA 2. This training is important products. In the end this certification will because it will provide BFAR with better aid in strengthening the convergence of its management control to assist FBOs in en- markets into a unified entity robustly trad- suring that safety standards are maintained ing with EU and the rest of the world. and in fastracking traceability. Traceability Tiotangco takes into account the in this measure is founded on a firmer ba- many steps yet to be undertaken before sis as it integrates a regime of scientific and reaching that stage but is hopeful for the statistical methodologies to identify deviat- prospects for the Philippine fishery and ing variables on food safety limits. aquaculture industries.

6 The Philippines, through the Bureau sues affecting their respective countries. BFAR hosts the of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources (BFAR) The site visits proved interesting, as the of the Department of Agriculture (DA), delegates played the role of an inspector hosted the EU Fishery and Aquaculture (as if they were doing one in their own EU Fishery and Standards last 2008 in collaboration with country). These were very well managed, the City Government of General Santos. with sufficient time for the conduct of the Aquaculture BFAR particularly the Regional Office in inspection itself, discussions on-site with General Santos had worked closely with the experts and to clarify issues. Debriefing all the City officials and representatives discussions were also held on the findings/ Standards including the concerned police and mili- issues on-site, particularly on the impor- tary personnel to ensure the success of this tant elements that should be considered Workshop training. Apart from the local coordina- given the situation of the establishment tion within the City, BFAR also had to co- and key critical decision points. ordinate the preparatory work with the In the site visits conducted, the EU ex- representatives from the EC Delegation perts stressed to the delegates that they and the European contractor, AETs. need to analyse their findings/concerns, General Santos proved to be an excel- problems, etc. based on risk; not to force lent choice for the venue of this seminar, the management/establishment to agree not only because it is the tuna capital of to their decision but to discuss what the the Philippines, but also because the dif- issues are and how best these should be ferent categories of operators in the fishery remedied; and not to advise the establish- food chain are represented in this dy- ment as this is not their role to do so. The namic city. A total of 7 Philippine estab- importance of gaining their trust was also lishments offered their premises for the site discussed, and in this context, an inspec- visits covered in this training. The site visits tor has to know about the subject matter were intended to provide practical appli- on hand to be able to discuss/argue intel- cations of the various requirements to en- ligently with the stakeholder (be it a fisher- sure food safety. man, the owner of the establishment or its The various concerns of relevant Phil- staff). There are protracted discussions ippine stakeholders were discussed as well each time on what exactly the require- as those of the other participating coun- ment are of the EU regulations (e.g., pre- tries, namely: Bangladesh, Brunei, Cam- cise temperature levels required in speci- bodia, India, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, fic stages of the food chain, etc.) – the EU Maldives, Myanmar, , Salomon Is- trainers stressed the fact that there are lands, Sri-Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. no rules cast in stone, as each situation Ambassador Alistair MacDonald graced varies and would therefore depend on the the opening ceremony, along with repre- risk associated with a particular problem/ sentatives from the DA, BFAR, and General issue. Santos City Government. The City Gov- Finally, private meetings were ernment prepared a cultural show to organised between the participating showcase the culture and diversity of country representatives and the EU ex- Mindanao particularly General Santos. perts/officials. The delegates were all Ambassador MacDonald was not only de- unanimous in saying that the workshop lighted with this warm hospitality, but also was very helpful and the site visits were enjoyed the fresh seafood that General important in better understanding of the Santos has to offer. Ambassador EU requirements. The discussions with the MacDonald also led the tuna slicing cer- experts after these visits and also the pri- emony that the City incorporated in its vate meetings also helped clarify their cultural presentation. roles as representatives from the compe- In the course of the training in General tent authorities in their respective coun- Santos City, all the relevant stakeholders tries. took the opportunity to clarify various is- a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue

6 analysts of the National Meat Inspection BFAR gets boost Service (NMIS) of the Department of Agri- culture learned about the validation for and link with EU expert the confirmatory methods with the LC/ MS/MS, which they consider to be helpful By SIMEONA E. REGIDOR, Chief, Fish Health Section, BFAR especially as they are set to acquire the equipment this year. Philippine aquaculture is one of the 2002/657 concerning the performance of Further, the representative from the most widely recognized in the globe. By its analytical methods and the interpretation Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI) com- very nature as an archipelago, the of results. The applications for banned an- mented on the vast amount of knowledge country’s fate and its economy have direct tibiotics i.e. chloramphenicol and nitro- gained from the training, citing more effi- and important ties to the water. The gov- furans, dye, i.e. malachite green and for cient documentation procedures as just ernment is constantly endeavouring to im- multi-microbials were also discussed. one example learned. prove the quality of Philippine aquacul- Majority of the participants were Fish For their part, a representative from ture through programs that strengthen our Health Officers (FHOs) from the 15 re- SGS said that the company gained a new ties with leading institutions of research gions of the Philippines, who implement understanding of the importance of their from other countries. the National Residue Monitoring and role as a BFAR-recognized laboratory, say- Control program in fish and fishery prod- ing that they will be even more mindful of BFAR STEPS UP ucts complying with the EC Directive 96/ the requirements set by the Competent 23/EC. The FHO assists in setting the na- Authority. The Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic tional sample target and conducts the ac- The visit of Dr. Verdon to the central Resources (BFAR), the government’s main tual sampling in the field. and regional laboratory of BFAR assured arm in the management and protection After the three-day training Dr. Verdon BFAR analysts on the control measures of Philippine aquatic resources, gained a conducted informal visits to two BFAR that need to be implemented to comply welcome boost to its capabilities with the laboratories, the Central Office Laboratory with Decision/657/EC. Dr. Verdon shared visit and consultation of Dr. Eric Verdon of and the Region IVA Laboratory, and a his own experience on the work done in the AFFSA-the French Food Safety Agency BFAR-recognized private laboratory, the AFFSA as Community Reference Labora- and the Community Reference Labora- Societe Generale Surveillance (SGS) Labo- tory for veterinary drugs, and provided his tory for veterinary drugs. ratory in Makati. recommendations on possible improve- During his mission, Dr. Verdon em- The technical assistance is just one of ments that may be considered by BFAR. barked on various ventures to strengthen the responses to the recommendations of the BFAR’s competency, one of which is a the EC FVO mission in 2006 when they KEEPING UP WITH THE COMPETITION a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue Training on Residues and Contaminants conducted an audit of the BFAR laborato- Control, a joint project of the Department ries. Proper national food control systems of Agriculture-Bureau of Fisheries and According to the 2006 audit: “The are necessary to protect the health and Aquatic Resources and the European performance characteristics of the analyti- safety of domestic consumers. They are Commission. cal methods need to be fit for the purposes also essential in ensuring the quality and The training, which was held from and able to generate reliable results, con- safety of the aqua-cultured products en- during the last quarter of the year at the sidering all parameters laid down in the tering the international trade and make Mutya Hall of Sulo Hotel in Diliman, relevant Community legislation, in particu- sure that the product conforms to interna- Quezon City was graced by BFAR Asst. Di- lar Directive 96/23/EC, Decision 2002/ tional requirements. rector Atty. Benjamin F. Tabios and Mr. 657/EC, Regulation (EC) No 2073/2004.” International fish and fishery trade re- Holger Rommen, head of the Contracts quires transparency on how products are and Finance Section, Delegation of the To comply with the aforementioned produced, processed and marketed rely- European Commission to the Philippines. observation, a request was forwarded by ing on the governments to take bigger re- It was attended by a total of 44 partici- BFAR in consideration of its existing con- sponsibility for food quality and safety as- pants coming from government and pri- ditions. The request aimed to clarify im- surance. They require supplementary ef- vate laboratories involved in the imple- portant issues like validation of the existing forts and proactive behavior from the au- mentation of the National Food Safety methods, and the current control activities thorities and private sector in an increas- Program in the Philippines. of the Fish Health Management and Qual- ingly competitive environment by estab- Dr. Verdon spoke about EU Regula- ity Assurance Laboratory as the National lishing food safety control structures or its tions, the Community Reference Labora- Reference Laboratory for residues of fish equivalent. tory, and National Reference Laboratory and fishery product. The Philippines has to keep up with activities, methods validation, Decision the dynamic trade requirements and no- ENCOURAGING RESULTS tably with the technical requirements and sanitary and phytosanitary measures to Much was learned during the three- gain better access to foreign markets. day training. The FHOs who attended Trading partners have become more seri- gained a newfound appreciation of the ous and the corresponding technical re- significance of their sampling, monitoring quirements tend to become more com- and surveillance activity as part of the Na- plex and stringent. tional Residue monitoring program. The Assurance of the quality of the results of the National Reference Laboratory on fish and fishery products, the Fish Health Management and Quality Assurance Laboratory, is one of our positive re- sponses to the aforementioned stringent requirements to strengthen the country’s laboratory capability and turn the Philip- pines into a major player in the world market.

8 to be working and wearing the required EC Workshops on the PPE. Interviews were conducted with the farm manager so the participants could make a good risk assessment on the AI in- Prevention of Avian Influenza cursion in the farm. A demonstration on By EMELINDA L. LOPEZ, DVM, Dip.VPH, MsC, Senior Agriculturist disinfectant spraying was also done to Animal Health Division, Bureau of Animal Industry make the participants realize that disinfec- tant concentration and contact time on The European Commission (EC) Affairs Section of the Delegation of the EC application were very important in effec- organised training workshops on the pre- to the Philippines, and relevant officials in tive decontamination of an infected area. vention of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influ- the Department of Agriculture led by BAI The participants also had to make actual enza (HPAI) in the Philippines during the Director Davinio P. Catbagan welcomed measurements on the floor area to be cov- third quarter of the year. This technical as- the participants during the first day of ered in order to determine the right sistance is made possible through the Bet- these workshops. Mr. Munuera noted amounts of disinfectants to prepare. Over- ter Training for Safer Food initiated by the that the country remains Avian Influenza all, the participants considered that it was Directorate General for Health and Con- free, but there is still the risk due to the an educational experience doing all these sumers (DG SANCO). The workshops presence of the disease in the neighboring activities. were organised in cooperation with the countries. He stressed not only the fact Department of Agriculture particularly the that these comprise the first series of tech- Learnings, Comments and Insights on Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI). Develop- nical assistance funded by the EC on the Course ment Solutions was engaged to undertake Avian Influenza but also the importance all the arrangements required for the train- attached by the EC in its commitment to 1. Disinfection and Chemical Use ing in the country, and the training continue to provide technical and finan- – This was a very useful topic which made courses were conducted by two interna- cial assistance to countries to help bolster the participants realize the importance of tional experts, namely Dr. David John their efforts to contain, control and elimi- appropriately selecting disinfectants for ef- Hadrill and Mr. Andrew Almond. nate the virus in affected poultry and pre- fective decontamination of pathogenic Three workshops were designed for pare for a possible pandemic. Director agents. What is more important is the cor- the Philippines covering one week each Catbagan encouraged the participants to rect application and contact time of in Luzon, Visayas and Mindanao. These engage actively the experts during the dinfectants which is sometimes taken for workshops were aimed toward assisting workshops. An overview of Avian Influ- granted. the veterinary services in the Philippines to enza (AI) in the country emphasizing 2. Disinfection, Personal Protec- effectively prepare against possible out- more on the current disease prevention tion and Hygiene - The participants breaks of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influ- and control measures under the AI Pro- found it very important to have the proper enza (HPAI), and provide training on effec- tection Program (AIPP) was also presented materials issued as Personal Protective tive methods of biosecurity, outbreak con- by the BAI during these workshops. Equipment (PPE) and that these should be a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue trol, disease surveillance, stamping out Overall, the participants found the suitable to the working conditions and and further training techniques. Regional training excellent and fully appreciated continued to page 10 Avian Influenza Coordinators, Provincial mostly the topics on disinfection, field visit Veterinarians and City Veterinarians at- risk assessment and simulation exercises. tended the workshops which were held The topics covered during the work- in: shops were, among others: Socio-Eco- • Angeles City on September 8-12 nomic Aspects of AI, General AI Epidemi- for 19 participants from Regions I, ology, Participatory Epidemiology, Farm II, III, IV and V; Biosecurity, Disinfection and Chemical • Cebu City on September 15-19 for Use, Disinfection, Personal Protection and 18 participants from Regions VI, VII, Hygiene and Risk Assessment. VIII and IX; and On the second day of the workshops, • Cagayan de Oro City on Septem- field visits were organised to undertake a ber 22-26 for 19 participants from risk assessment exercise in a poultry farm. Regions X, XI, XII, XIII and CARAGA. The participants were required to wear Mr. Gabriel Munuera-Viñals, Head of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to the Political, Economic, Trade and Public have the real experience of how it is like

9 EC Workshops on...from page 9 Laboratory Training in Diagnosis of Avian Influenza

The European Commission funded a Disease Diagnostic Laboratory “Laboratory Training in the Diagnosis of (RADDL) IX, Tumaga , Zamboanga weather in the country. All had diffi- Avian Influenza” in cooperation with City , Department of Agriculture culty working while wearing the PPE Instituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale during the brief visit to the farm, raising delle Venezie (a European Reference First day of the training was devoted to concerns on how effective the veteri- Laboratory for Avian Influenza and a series of lectures; A talk on the general narian and the farm personnel could Newcastle disease based in Legnaro, Italy) introduction to AI was delivered by Dr. work in case of an AI outbreak. Train- at the Veterinary faculty of the University Ilaria Capua, followed by the general di- ing for the private sector on the use of of Padova from 26 to 28 January 2009. agnostics of AI by Ms. Rafaella Nisi. Drs. PPEs and proper farm disinfection was The purpose of the training is to help William Dundon and Filippo Ciloni lec- also found to be an important area for strengthen the country’s laboratory capac- tured on the molecular diagnostics. Identi- future training. ity on Avian Influenza. fication of HPAI by sequencing was lec- 3. Training of Trainors – This A total of twenty participants (four tured by Ms. Adelaide Milani and the last was a good practical exercise since the from each country) from Bangladesh, lecture given was on the vaccination of AI participants were told to join in activi- , India, and Philippines and the DIVA (Differentiate Infected from ties like speaking about oneself and participated in this three-day training. The Vaccinated Animal) strategy by Dr. William doing physical games to make their au- participants from the Philippines were: Dundon. diences more attentive and alert for the • Dr. Cristina F. Legaspi, Senior Agri- Second day was devoted to lecture- training. This was considered to be an culturist, Head of Virology Section, demonstration of RNA extraction, conven- effective way of making participants ef- Philippine Animal Health Center, tional and real time H5 and H7 RT- PCR fective trainors through learning by do- Bureau of Animal Industry, Depart- and sequencing of H5 and H7 cleavage ing. For some, this was a most interest- ment of Agriculture sites. This was held at the Veterinary Fac- ing part of the workshop. • Dr. Milagros R. Mananggit, Re- ulty of the University. 4. Culling Methods – Cervical gional Animal Disease Diagnostic On the third day, the participants vis- dislocation is one method of culling Laboratory (RADDL) III, San ited the different laboratories and animal (killing) birds for disposal in HPAI af- Fernando, Pampanga, Department house in the Instituto Zooprofilaticco fected farms or areas. It was a surprise of Agriculture Sperimentale delle Venezie. At the end of to realise that most participants have • Dr. Rachel R. Azul, Veterinarian II, the tour, they had their final discussion, their own idea of doing cervical dislo- Philippine Animal Health Center, course evaluation and closing ceremony. cation to kill poultry and that most do Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), Overall, the group’s assessment of the not know how to do this properly. As Department of Agriculture training was rather fairly satisfactory. The such, it was considered important to • Dr. Marie Ramirez Que, lectures were very informative and helpful emphasize the correct and standard Veterinarian II, Regional Animal to our laboratory work. All the lecturers procedure of doing this. were very accommodating and experts in 5. Simulation Exercises - This their respective fields. The 3 day- sched- was a useful exercise for participants to ule of the workshop was not enough be- actually experience planning, organiz- ing, and making immediate response cause one day was only devoted to a lec- measures for an impending outbreak. ture demonstration of the laboratory pro- The method used was a systematic ex- cedures. The group was expecting to have ercise for the participants to realize on more hands-on training on the real time - what should be done. Though they pcr and sequencing to be able to master were in panic initially, the guides, ref- the technique. It would have been very erences and pro-forma reports were helpful if the training period was ex- very good tools for them to keep tab tended. At least two weeks hands-on train- on the situation and rightfully address ing would ideally have been preferred. the different angles of the disease out- break and coping up with other com- plicating factors. The lessons were many as they went through the exer- cise.

Though the participants went through the different aspects of contin- gency planning, it is important that they realize also the importance of good teamwork. SOPs should be clearly written beforehand specifically the job description for each member of the Rapid Action Team. The partici- pants also became conscious of the importance of handling the media well a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue during these situations.

10 of projects to be implemented. Ironically, Bridging the when projects fail, the LGUs are oftentimes blamed for lack of proper monitoring. In the first place, how can the Boundaries LGUs monitor a project that is not privy to its records? Incidentally, those projects that have failed involved millions of pesos Peace and and the Municipality of Polomolok has all of these experiences. Community The genesis of the MTF-RDP in Polomolok is practically a paradigm shift from the perceived “normal”, top-down Development process of project implementation. It started from a stakeholders’ forum held at (First of two parts) the Waterfont Hotel attended by con- cerned officials of MTF-RDP, BDA person- by : Emily M. Mercado, EC and Eronio P. Muno nel, representative from OPAPP and the Municipal Planning and Development Coordintor of Polomolok, South Cotabato concerned LGUs. Few months thereafter, the MTF-RDP and BDA officials made a courtesy call on the Mayor of Polomolok The Mindanao Trust Fund Reconstruc- Koronadal to discuss further the objectives of MTF- tion and Development Program (MTF- RDP and how these are linked to the RDP) is a multi-donor trust fund being The history of conflict in Koronadal peace and development efforts. Not only managed by the World Bank, on behalf of can be traced back to the ILAGA-Black that, MTF-RDP officials through the BDA a number of donors, including the Euro- Shirt clashes in the 1970s. The ILAGA was also made a courtesy call on the members pean Commission. It was established in a group of Ilonggo and Ilocano who was of the Barangay Council, explaining to 2005 following a request from the Philip- at war with the Black Shirts that was orga- them the program’s goals and objectives. pine Government to strengthen assistance nized by the Moros to defend themselves The idea here is to make known in ad- to conflict-affected areas in Mindanao. against the ILAGA. In 1972, when Martial vance the funding scheme so that in the Specifically, it aims to assist in the eco- Law was declared, harassment against the budgetary allocations of the MLGU and nomic and social recovery in the conflict- Muslim community continued as they BLGU the same could now be integrated affected and vulnerable areas of were suspected to be rebels. The Moro in their respective Annual Investment Mindanao through the implementation of National Liberation Front (MNLF) was or- Plans. Further, the BLGU was given the op- community-driven development (CDD) ganized by the Muslim communities in portunity to ask clarificatory questions to sub-projects. To-date, the EC is the largest the area to continue the struggle of the further strengthen the networking efforts. It donor to the MTF-RDP (• 2 M) with fur- bangsamoro people. An armed clash in was observed that, compared to 100% ther support in the pipeline. the area occurred in 1986 between the dole-out projects, counterparting was a Since the official start of the program MNLF and the AFP. In 2000, then Presi- more effective scheme in as much as the in 2006 until the end of 31 December dent Estrada declared an all-out war recipient barangay becomes more in- 2008, some 53 sub-projects (e.g, potable against the Moro Islamic Liberation Front volved in monitoring the expected output a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue water systems, tire path, community liveli- (MILF), a splinter group of the MNLF. of the sub-project. hood centers, solar dryer, etc.) have been Koronadal used to be the passage area of continued to page 13 approved under MTF-RDP, of which 47 the MILF in going to their camp at have been completed in 41 municipalities Barangay Bentong. in Mindanao. The key government The sub-project aimed to provide an counterparts are the: 1.) Office of the income generating structure by providing Presidential Adviser for the Peace Process a venue for trainings, seminars and other (OPAPP); 2.) Bangsamoro Development special occasions from within the commu- Agency (BDA); and 3.) local government nity or outside who are interested to use units (LGUs). Other important stakehold- its services for a fee which is to be pre- ers are the civil society organizations; scribed by the SUKOR. The fees that will peoples’ organizations and the indigenous be collected directly go to the coffer and peoples. in the special account of SUKOR with the The following report describes in de- intent of using these for its future pro- tail the experience of the municipality of grams, projects and activities. Polomolok in the implementation of The Community and Livelihood Cen- MTF-RDP, specifically, in the construction ter was the result of a very strong collabo- of a Community and Livelihood Center at ration among the interested and con- Purok 3-A, Barangay Koronadal Proper, cerned stakeholders. Historically, some Polomolok, South Cotabato. The propo- government programs in the past miser- nent of the sub-project was the Strongly ably failed to attain its purpose and objec- United Koronadal Proper Organization tives primarily because of the absence of a (SUKOR). The total sub-project cost was good working relationship between the Php 819,825.22, of which 85% (Php major players, in this case, the LGU and 696,851.44), was funded by the MTF- the community, represented by the RDP, 13% (Php 106,577.28) was funded peoples’ organization. Programs of similar jointly by the municipal LGU and nature sometimes incur economic losses barangay LGU and 2% (Php 16, 396.50) on the part of the funding institutions sim- funded by SUKOR. ply because there are skepticisms on their part to allow the local government units to have access to information and the nature

11 Justice, Peace & Integrity of Creation-Integrated Development Centre (JPIC-IDC) initiated a Cinemobile presentation to the youth of San Lorenzo Church in Bayugan, Agusan del Sur headed by Fr. Cielito Urias. JPIC-IDC, Inc. Unfolds its Story Quo vadis, ye Children of Agusan del Sur?

SAN FRANCISCO, Agusan del Sur – national government claimed 47% of the Geared on an approach to prevent, if The province of Agusan del Sur in victims were minor mostly female aging 13 not eliminate, the trafficking of women Mindanao, Philippines, the largest terri- to 17 and less than half aging between 29 and children from Agusan del Sur, tory and with the biggest population of the and 33. And they are getting younger and Cinemobile immediately established ad- five provinces of Caraga Region, sits atop younger. More and more is falling prey to vocacy partnership with the Caraga re- one of the country’s rich deposits of gold, the false promises of people offering better gional offices of the Department of Social silver, copper, iron, nickel, chromite, and life. Welfare and Development, the Depart- manganese. Then there is its vast ment of the Interior and Local Govern- rainforests and fertile valleys and plain. JPIC-IDC, Inc. ment, the Philippine National Police in all levels, the Provincial and Municipal So- Life is full of ironies. About a month after the anti-sex traf- cial Welfare and Development Offices, the ficking road show campaign in Butuan Barangay Council, various radio stations Notwithstanding these bounties, it is City, the Cebu-based Justice, Peace & In- (Kuyaw FM, San Franz Radio, Real Radio, second to the province of Western Samar tegrity of Creation-Integrated Develop- Radio Natin and DXDA), parishes and In- in the Eastern Visayas Region in the list of ment Centre (JPIC-IDC) set up a camp in ter-churches organization of the targeted the poorest provinces in the Philippines Agusan del Sur. Municipalities, and the academe. with a 64-percent poverty incidence, The centre is a faith-based non-gov- The centre organized its information- based on a 2007 report of the Philippine ernment organization started through the dissemination drives in the four pilot mu- National Statistical Coordination Board efforts of priests of the Society of the Di- nicipalities of Prosperidad, San Francisco, (NSCB). vine Word (SVD) in partnership with Karl Bayugan, and Trento, selected because of This, in itself is not surprising since Küebel Stiftung (KKS) of . their heavy population concentration. As Caraga Region has the fourth highest pov- JPIC-IDC workers work with entry and exit points to and from the erty incidence level of families among all marginalized partners like dump settlers, province, the four towns are very vulner- the regions in the country for years 1997 informal settlers, streetchildren, prostituted able to human smuggling. to 2000 and the third highest poverty inci- women, fisherfolks, and farmers. To institutionalize the partnership, dence in terms of incidence of families in JPIC-IDC and the four municipalities have the island of Mindanao. signed a Cooperation Agreement to pur- The worsening widening gap between sue the drive against sex trafficking. rich and poor in the Caraga Region fur- Bayugan lies along the main highway ther aggravated poverty woes, spawning to the port of Nasipit and the port and air- an unabated trafficking of women and port of Butuan City. Prosperidad, the capi- children majority of whom are from hin- tal of the province, lies on the same high- terland villages and whose parents mostly way to Butuan City. San Francisco is the farmers have no choice but to participate crossroads to and from Nasipit, Butuan in the unending cycle of exploitation. City, Surigao del Sur, and Davao City. This is more than true in Agusan del Trento is the province’s southern exit Sur, which, from 2004 to 2007 topped along the national highway to Davao City. the list with recorded 24 human traffick- ing victims among the provinces of Caraga, The campaign Butuan City, 13 victims, Bislig City, 9, Surigao del Sur, 9 and Surigao City, 4 and Cinemobile Logo In less than three months, the centre their numbers are growing, figures pre- worked feverishly to strengthen its partner- sented by the Filipino Initiative Against In Agusan del Sur, the JPIC-IDC staff fo- ships and linkages. It organized orienta- Trafficking (FIAT) road show campaign fo- cuses on raising awareness on sex traffick- tions, sessions, forums, in schools, com- rum in Butuan City showed. ing through the Cinemobile, a campaign munities, and appeared with Cinemobile The Caraga Regional Inter-Agency from one place to another that employs in government offices and legislative coun- Committee against Trafficking in Persons- holding movie sessions with target audi- cils to promote the preventive approach Violence against Women and Children ences, documentary presentations, and against sex trafficking. (IACAT-VAWC) organized the event on other videos that talk about trafficking of The staff saturated the 17 villages of April 1, 2008 in Butuan City through the minors for commercial sex exploitation. the four pilot towns with 29 movie ses- Rule of Law Effectiveness (ROLE), a project Cinemobile started in April 2008 and sions, documentary presentations, and of the Agency for Interna- staffed by a project director, Fr. Marcelo E. other videos. A total of 4,299 parents, lo- tional Development (USAID) and The Asia Cattaneo, SVD, a project coordinator, cal government officials, students, farmers, Foundation (TAF). Analeh C. Patindol, a training officer, Joan teachers, employees, and church men a special sanitary and phytosanitary issue Why this state of human trafficking? Cris H. Gonzales, a bookkeeper, and women or 2,430 women and 1,869 Figures presented in that forum by the Geraldine Husain, and a technician/driver men attended the sessions. Arnelito Tecson. 12 The communities unreached by the Agency Committee Against Trafficking tions before the regular meeting of the San campaign were accessed through the ra- (PIACAT). Lorenzo church parish leaders. Some 50 dio airwaves beamed to and outside the participants were present. pilot areas. The regular Saturday one- Signs of the Times During the presentation, JPIC-IDC hour radio program hosted by the staff of alerted the participants to the fact that JPIC-IDC gives out information on the re- Last December, a woman was sur- Bayugan is one of the centres of human alities of trafficking, the modus operandi prised to see three minors, her neighbor’s trafficking in Caraga Region. Giving his of traffickers, local situationer reports and daughters, crying inside the chartered van share of the campaign, Fr. Urias encour- updates on the different initiatives to ad- she was riding on the way to Butuan City aged the participants to create a group to dress the problem. The broadcast blitz in- from Bayugan. Asked where they were go- monitor their area and to be vigilant about cludes radio interviews and guestings in ing and why they were crying, the minors possible recruitment activities in their public affairs programs of the different AM said they missed but were leaving their communities and to immediately report and FM stations in Agusan del Sur. parents and were to meet with someone suspicious activities. The centre likewise participated on in Butuan City who would transport them Bayugan is only one of the major November 13, 2008 in Butuan City, A to . population centres of Agusan del Sur. Validation Workshop (Comprehensive Pi- The children had no escort, but they There are other towns and cities in the lot Intervention Project on Gender-Based assured that their recruiter was in touch whole Caraga region with more. At a time Violence in CARAGA Region), organized through text messages. No, they had not when the young population is overlap- by Miriam College – Women and Gender informed their poor parents. ping the older groups and with poverty Institute. Until today, the fate of the three mi- and the resultant deterioration of moral Networking with the Provincial Gov- nors is unknown. values, more victims are waiting inno- ernment of Agusan del Sur, JPIC-IDC has Fr. Cielito Urias, parish priest of San cently in the wings and more preventive been gladly accepted by Governor Maria Lorenzo Ruiz Church in Bayugan con- work has to be done. Valentina G. Plaza. Because of strong pro- firmed the story about the three minors. Expanding Cinemobile outside of the motion and campaign, Governor Plaza al- Their parents, farmers, had sought his four pilot towns may yet contribute to in- located PhP50,000.00 for anti-sex traf- help. But it was too late, the children were forming communities on the sex-traffick- ficking initiatives in the annual budget for gone. ing threat. 2009. The Provincial Council of Agusan Fr. Urias admits the problem on hu- The dent on the armor of sex traffick- del Sur has adopted a Provincial man sex trafficking is difficult to solve. All ing may not be as big as expected in the Children’s Code authored by Vice Gover- the church could do was to warn the par- short term initially, but still it is a small vic- nor Santiago Cane Jr. And to cement the ish about the danger and help prevent a tory in the fight against the unscrupulous province’s commitment to stamp out the social nightmare from happening. The preying on those who have less in life. trafficking of women and children, the priest had greatly welcomed that day, last The ball has started rolling. Let it not province has created a Provincial Inter- February 7, 2009, Cinemobile’s presenta- be stopped.

phytosanitary issue

Bridging the Boundaries...from page 11 by the BDA Consultant and BDA Field Fa- ernment sector: Ustadz Mohamad Taha A. On the basis of the first hand informa- cilitators. The identification of the MTF- Abdulgapor, MILF Representative; Mr. tion, the BDA catalyst and the BDA Mu- RDP sub-project was not a creation of Manto Catocan, MNLF Representative; nicipal Facilitator invited representatives one person alone nor by the officials Ustadz Arafa Macabangin, Respected from the 10 puroks (sitios) of Koronadal themselves, but a collegial decision com- Muslim Elder; Ustadz Jed Sadalao, Muslim Proper to attend and participate in the ing from the SUKOR. As agreed, all mem- Religious Leader; Mr. Stemson Pino, Chris- scheduled orientation briefing. Take note bers went to the different puroks, other tian Religious Leader; Mrs. Coraisa that the BDA representatives did not speak than their own to conduct interviews on Padasan, Muslim Women Representative; of Muslims, Ilonggos and Cebuanos alone. priority projects. SUKOR consolidated all Ms. Rose Ardiente, Christian Women Rep- It was made clear that the invitation was the suggested sub-projects and consider- resentative and; Fulong Fred Malompong, addressed to concerned purok-based in- ing the limited funds, a priority project IP Representative. dividuals and not on the basis cultural was made. Finally, SUKOR decided to rec- The feasibility study of the sub-project a special sanitary and identity. ommend to MTF-RDP the construction of was prepared by SUKOR through the as- The orientation-briefing was done by the COMMUNITY and LIVELIHOOD sistance of the consultants and BDA Facili- the BDA Field Facilitators and consultants. CENTER. tators and the engineering design was Clarifications on the purpose and objec- It is worthy to note that while the iden- made jointly by the program- hired Engi- tives of the MTF-RDP as a program was tification of the priority sub-project is on- neer and the Engineers of the Municipal made for the guidance of concerned going, the Office of the Municipal Mayor Engineering Office. The design was subject stakeholders. After all the salient features through the representation made by the to the validation, suggestion and confirma- of the program were presented, the purok BDA Municipal Facilitator issued Execu- tion of SUKOR. In fact originally, it was representatives proceeded to an organiza- tive Order No. 7, series of 2008. The Ex- supposed to be an open structure, but the tional meeting from which the Officials ecutive Order identified the composition members of SUKOR suggested that it and Chairmen of the different Committees and functions of the Multi-Sectoral Com- should be a covered structure to have that based on their line of expertise including mittee (MSC), which was, primarily to privacy among the users. After the design the official name of the proposed Peoples evaluate and recommend the compo- was made, SUKOR, together with BDA Organization were selected. nents of the MTF-RDP sub-project. submitted the proposal including the engi- During the organizational meeting, the The MSC consisted of the following: neering design to the MSC for its review, purok representatives decided to name the (1) government sector: Mr. Eronio P. evaluation and recommendation to the peoples organization as the STRONGLY Muno, MPDC; Ms. Lailyn A. Ortiz, Mu- MTF-RDP. UNITED KORONADAL PROPER ORGA- nicipal Local Government Officer; Hon. NIZATION (SUKOR). Eleazar G. Jovero, Sangguniang Bayan (Contiunation will be published on the next is- After its organization, a series of capa- Member; and Hon. Rodolfo E. Doctolero, sue) bility building seminars were conducted Sangguniang Bayan Member; (2) non-gov-

13 Old and new problems: CBFM gives extensive rights and responsi- bilities to local people in managing forests. The environmental situation Over the last years unstable policy, overly bureaucratic procedures and weak insti- of the Philippines tutional support system, have been deter- ring CBFM effective implementation. by Juan Echanove Progress on the ground remains elusive. (3) Public resources for conservation The Philippines has rich and diverse factors have arisen in recent times, con- are still very low. The reduction of the natural resources. However, overall, the tributing to accelerate the degradation of ODA to the environmental sector (DENR’s environment outlook is bleak. In the last the Philippine ecosystems, particularly its foreign assisted projects has declined by years, the environmental conditions of the forests, such as (1) the reboot of the min- 35% from 2001 to 2007) and aggravates country have continued to worsen, and ing industry, (2) the inadequate imple- the situation. To worsen this scenario, cer- the implementation of environmental mentation of the Community-Based Forest tain environmental responsibilities have policies offers a mix result. Management (CBFM) policies, (3) the been devolved to the LGUs, but without Certain positive trends can be ob- diminution of the financial resources for transferring financial sources to implement served in fields such as illegal logging con- conservation and (4) the need to confront them. trol; watersheds’ management; promotion the new challenge of global warming. (4) In the Philippines, as elsewhere, of renewable energy sources (the much (1) In recent times the mining industry the issue of climate change is gaining mo- expected Renewable Energy Bill was fi- in the Philippines has been experiencing mentum in the political arena. This impe- nally approved in 2008); environmental a dramatic rebound. Although the Philip- tus is driven by two main factors: the crimes’ persecution (‘green’ courts estab- pine Mining Act includes provisions for country’s high exposure to natural ca- lished in 2007); or inter-agency co-ordi- the protection of the environment, these lamities and the lofty cost of petrol (the nation (the ‘convergence’ process among provisions are generally not enforced. main power source in the country) in re- DENR, DA and DAR is now pushing Many mining concessions cover areas of cent times and the subsequent need to through), but the underlying causes of the high environmental importance claimed enhance energy efficiency and renewable current depletion of the natural resources by and/or already titled to indigenous sources. Despite the high exposure of the remain in place, such as the high popula- communities, whose endorsement to the Philippines to global warming, the coun- tion pressure; rapid and uncontrolled mining investment is reputedly obtained try still lacks a proper integration of cli- urbanisation; conflicts of interest between through unfair consultation processes. mate change adaptation into develop- long term environmental concerns and The NCIP and the DENR lack means to ment policies. Certain initiatives have short term profit considerations; absence follow-up the environmental and social been conducted at the local level, but of political will and poor environmental standards of ongoing mining activities. there is an urgent need to scale-up those governance. (2) CBFM is the leading strategy for initiatives and to provide capacity building Together with these ‘old’ issues, new managing the country’s forests. In theory, in order to streamline adaptation.

Asia-Europe Cooperation Strengthened Towards Sustainable Development

The European Commission (EC) Delegation velopment ; Courses for Sustainable Devel- level of support it has been providing to the Phil- to the Philippines has recently hosted the last of opment, an educational programme for key gov- ippines in these area. Ms. Elisea Gozon, the the 5-ASEAN city lecture tour of Ms. Marta ernment officials that provides different ap- Chairperson of the Earth Council, gave the key- Szigeti Bonifert on “Transition to Sustainability proaches to sustainable development; NGO note address. Accompanying Ms. Bonifert was through Cooperation” in its office in Makati. This Support in terms of financial resources, access Ms. Susanne Wallenoefer, Project Executive for lecture tour series is a mechanism by which the to information and capacity-building assistance; Intellectual Exchange of the Asia-Europe Foun- Asia-Europe Foundation (ASEF) is strengthening Climate Change initiatives, which supports ef- dation, who introduced ASEF and the Lecture linkages and cooperation between Asia and Eu- forts to comply with the commitments and re- Tour series. Dr. Corazon Claudio, President of rope. It involves Asian experts lecturing in Eu- spond to the opportunities created by the the EARTH Asia Inc., invited the participants to rope and vice-versa on alternating basis. Ms. UNFCCC and the Kyoto Protocol; and Zero EARTH’s various activities especially the radio Bonifert’s lecture, the second under the environ- Emission Conference Center, REC’s office program and the launching of the climate change ment field, was organized in the Philippines by building, which is the biggest solar power plant vulnerability map. Earth Council Asia-Pacific in cooperation with in Hungary that could produce 30 kW electricity. Ms. Ella Antonio, President of Earth Council the EC Delegation, Earth Institute Asia, Inc., and The lively discussion focused on key envi- Asia Pacific, Inc and Brain Trust Inc., served as Brain Trust Inc. through its Environmental Fo- ronmental issues led by mining, climate change, the lead organizer and facilitator of the lecture. rum part of a series in partnership with Asia-Eu- illegal logging and deforestation and waste man- rope, (BTI), and The speaker during the said agement. event was Ms. Bonifert, the Executive Director Ms. Camilla Hagstrom, Deputy Head for the of the Regional Environment Center (REC) of Operation Section, welcomed the participants Central and Eastern Europe based in Hungary, who were composed of representatives of talked about the impacts and imperatives of cli- NGOs, media, academe, business, diplomatic mate change, and provided information on key community and international institutions (e.g., initiatives of REC that ASEAN Biodiversity Center) and a representa- REC examples of these are the Green tive from Czech Embassy and she emphasized Pack, a multi-media environmental education the importance and commitment the EC Delega- curriculum kit that focuses on particular aspects tion puts on poverty alleviation and environmen- of environmental protection and sustainable de- tal protection and integrity as demonstrated in the

14 In 1890, Rizal went to Brussels from Paris The Europe Month festivities opened with to prepare for the publication of his annotations of the “Bersong EuroPinoy” – “European Poetry Antonio de Morga’s “Sucesos de la Islas Recital” on 25 April in Instituto Cervantes de Filipinas”. Manila. Known Filipino writers including Edgar Overall, Rizal is documented to have trav- Maranan, Gémino H. Abad, Joel Toledo, elled extensively in other European countries Marjorie Evasco, Mookie Katigbak and Ricky such as , Italy, , Switzer- Ungria have been invited to read literary pieces Photo credit : Knights of Rizal in the Philippines land and . together with European diplomats led by no less Because of Jose Rizal’s strong affiliations than Czech Ambassador who is a poet himself, This year’s Europe Month celebrations in with Europe, the Europe Month celebrations will His Excellency Jaroslav Ludva. May have a focus particularly close to the Fili- feature two Rizal-related and youth-oriented high- A European Children’s festival dubbed pino heart – Jose Rizal and his connections with lights, the EU Whiz and the essay contest, both “Lakbayin Natin ang EU” (Journey to EU) en- Europe. The topic is especially relevant as this with “Jose Rizal and Europa” as their theme. abled Filipino children to experience a weeklong is the European Year for Creativity and Innova- Prizes of these two major contests (EU programme of children’s films, literature, tion. And why not? Dr. Jose Rizal, the Whiz and Essay Contest) for the grand winners storytelling, arts and crafts and lots of merrymak- Philippine’s national hero has strong links with are trips to selected European Union countries ing and fun from 6 to 9 in May in Museo the EU and is also regarded as one of the courtesy of KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air Pambata, Roxas Boulevard, Manila. world’s greatest humanists and artists, a classic France and the Knights of Rizal. The European On 7 May, the awarding ceremony for Eu- icon for creativity and innovation. Community led by the EU Presidency, the Em- rope Ko To’s assemblage contest was held in On 3 May 1882, he travelled to for his bassy of the Czech Republic and the Delegation Ayala Museum in Makati City. The Ayala Mu- Licentiaturat in Medicine from Universidad Cen- of the European Commission to the Philippines seum is a partner of the Delegation of the Euro- tral de Madrid. He also studied at the University are organising the quizzes in coordination with pean Commission to the Philippines, the Philip- of Paris and at the University of Heidelberg. In the SM Mall of Asia and with support of Manila pine High School for the Arts and the Los Banos Berlin, he was inducted as a member of the Ber- Bulletin. The awarding ceremony and the grand National High School with the EU cultural group lin Ethnological Society and the Berlin Anthropo- finals will be held on 18 June in the SM Mall of in Europe Ko To’s awarding ceremony and in the logical Society. Asia. continued to page 16

OTHER ACTIVITIES: will be shown in Alliance Francaise to be followed by a Q Enjoy British pies, German sausages, Spanish and A with the Director. tapas, French pastries, fine wine selection and a lot more 28 April to 20 June without actually flying to Europe. Visit the European Food “Portraits de Chaussures, histoires de pieds” 8 and 9 May and Wine Festival at the Rockwell Tent for an interna- “Portraits of shoes, stories of feet” El Columpio Asesino at Boracay Ecovillage tional gastronomic experience that will surely give you a by French Curator Yves Sabourin Convention Center taste of Europe’s best offerings. Minimal entrance free ap- Yuchengco Museum, Makati City The most exceptional, personal and unclassified plies. This event is organized by the European Chamber This exhibit offers the best possible look at French bands of the Spanish independent pop-rock, “El Columpio of Commerce of the Philippines together with the British historical knowledge about shoes, shoemakers and boot Asesino” performs in Boracay Ecovillage Convention Cen- Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines, German-Philip- makers as well as a glance at the vision of contemporary ter at 8pm. These performances are presented by the pine Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Camara Oficial artists and creators on the same subject. The “historical” Instituto Cervantes in Manila. Espanola de Comercio and Le Club French Chamber of shoes on exhibit are accompanied by drawings, photo- Commerce & Industry, in cooperation with Rockwell Land, graphs, videos. The exhibition associates works of Fili- 11 May The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, HighLife and The Ra- pino and German artists, through the cooperation of the ECCP Annual Golf Challenge dio Partners Inc. For more information: Zai Tan-Perez of Goethe-Institut in Manila. Sta. Elena Golf Club European Chamber at 8451324 or 7596680. The European Chamber of Commerce of the Philip- 2,9,16, 23 and 30 May pines will hold its Annual Golf Challenge with a shotgun 30 May All Saturdays at 6pm start at 8:00A.M and a System 36 format. Exciting prizes German Films in Fully Booked Cine in Instituto Cervantes from event sponsors await all participants. Further infor- U-View, Basement, Fully-Booked, Bonifacio High Free Admission mation: Anna Medina or Dawn Cabigon at 845-1324/759- Street, Taguig City Vampires and Demons is a mini-retrospective of 6680 or email [email protected].” Free Admission Spanish horror films from 1929 to 2005 which examines http://www.goethe.de/ins/ph/map/de4138360v.htm this peculiar genre, beginning with the silent film El sexto 12 May Every last Saturday of the month, 5pm sentido. Akragas Folk Dance Group Status Yo! (2004), 123 minutes Traders Hotel - Manila Directed by Till Hastreiter 4 May The Embassy of Italy brings you into the charming Cast: Sera Finale, Yan Eq, Jamie, Pepi, Saession, Yesim, Training Workshop on Paper Restoration and world of Sicilian traditional music, dance and food. The DJ Quest, Codeak, Vern, Storm, 5 Amoks Conservation Techniques “Akragas Folk Dance Group” was founded to research, The National Library, T. M. Kalaw, Manila spread and stage the folkloristic, historic and cultural tra- A fast-paced film that gives viewers a look at the In continuation of Goethe-Institut Manila’s co-opera- ditions of the Sicilian people. The costumes, musical in- Berlin hip-hop scene. This part-documentary, part-film fol- tion with The National Library, it organises a training work- struments, the songs, the dances and the staging instead lows a number of people over the course of a day in Ber- shop on paper restoration techniques for archivists of pub- embrace a greater historical period which includes: the lin. Yaneq is trying to organize one of Berlin’s biggest par- lic Philippine libraries. Greek, Roman, Turkish, Arabic, Spanish and Norman ties in just 24 hours. Tarek dreams of turning Berlin into an dominations of the Island, all of which have moulded Sic- enormous graffiti sculpture, while Session is trying to flee 5 May ily throughout the centuries. from debt-collectors and protect his girlfriend. The fantas- Romanian Wine Fest tic break dancers the 5 Amoks also make an appearance, Spicy Fingers Bar and Restaurant 14-26 May as well as many others. In one night and the following Greenbelt 2, Ayala Center, Makati City La tentazione dei colori day, the various strands of this story blend into a pulsating (By Invitation only) Exhibit of Italian artist Luigi Giacobbe film that celebrates all things associated with the youth: The Embassy of offers an exclusive oppor- ArtistSpace, 2nd Floor, Glass Wing, Ayala Museum young love, youth problems, their dreams, and, of course, tunity to taste and experience the exquisite flavours of Italian artist Luigi Giacobbe, now based in Manila, their music. the noble Romanian wines. after living in France, , and , pre- sents 22 mixed media paintings to better express the di- April to June 2009 6, 13, 20, 27 May versity of his long artistic journey whose common thread Embroidered Multiples at the Ayala Museum All Wednesday at 8.30pm is the power of color enhanced by structures and materi- Exhibits of rare garments that show the evolution of Free Admission als. Philippine dress and the convergence of cultures evident Ciné-club at Alliance Française in Philippine colonial society. A unique cultural partner- Screenings of the best French films are being held 16-17 May ship celebrating the extremely rare Brejard Collection of all Wednesdays in Alliance Francaise. European Food & Wine Festival at Rockwell Tent Philippine costumes at the Museum Volkenkunde (Na- On 6 May, Filipino film “Baler” by director Mark Meily Makati City tional Museum of Ethnology), The .

15 CATCHWISE is composed of Karl Kubel of CATCHWISE in addressing trafficking of hu- Stiftung, Justice, Peace and Integrity of Cre- man beings in the Visayas and Mindanao re- CATCHWISE ation, Belen sa Cebu, Belen Extension, gions. He hoped that partnerships between civil Children’s Legal Bureau, End Child Prostitution, society organisations and local government Visayas-based Consortium of Child Pornography and the Trafficking of Chil- agencies are further inspired to continue actions NGOs Against Trafficking wins the dren for Sexual Purposes, Philippines, Inc., and promoting and protecting the human rights of chil- Holy Spirit School Center for Women Integrating dren, women and men, most especially the poor first Communications Award for in New Growth and Services. The European and vulnerable sectors. Asia in the European Commission provided • 523,508.25 or Php The CATCHWISE campaign was initiated Commission’s special ceremony 35.07 million for the consortium project. by civil society organisations and local govern- in Brussels The first EuropeAid Communication ment units in the Visayas and Mindanao regions Award was presented in a simple ceremony to effectively plan, implement, monitor and evalu- held in the European Commission head- ate strategic interventions to significantly reduce A Visayas-based consortium of civil society quarters in Brussels to Ms. Maria Luisa child and woman trafficking for sexual exploita- and non-government organisations, barangay- Andrade, Asia desk officer of EuropeAid tion. This campaign contributed to the level local government units in seven provinces .The Award given was to encourage better localisation of the Anti-Trafficking Law (RA 9208) in Visayas and Mindanao has won a “Communi- communication of the results of EC-sup- in 31 of 48 communities. Through this project, cations Award” for its work against trafficking of ported actions as well as highlight the suc- resources from the local gender and development women and children. cesses of the projects based among others (GAD) budget were able to supplement local ini- The consortium is called CATCHWISE and on originality, high replication potential tiatives at the barangay or city or provincial lev- implemented the five-year project entitled, Ca- and impact. els even after the EC funding has ended. pacity Building Program for Civil Society Mr. Nicholas Taylor, Head of Operations of In addition, local anti-trafficking committees Organisations and Local Government Units to the Delegation of the European Commission to have been created, 20 legal/prosecution cases Prevent Child and Woman Trafficking for Com- the Philippines, commends the efforts and suc- using RA 9208/anti-trafficking law and related mercial Sexual Exploitation in the Visayas cesses cases have been filed. More than 500 women and Mindanao Regions of the and children victims of trafficking were res- Philippines . cued and provided legal, medical, psychological and support services.

Rizal na, Europa...from page 15 exhibition of the award-winning works of stu- European Year dents from Los Banos, Laguna. The theme of this contest is the EU’s motto “Unity in Di- versity”. The exhibition runs until 14 May 2009. of Creativity and Far Eastern University in Manila joined Europe Month 2009’s celebrations for the first time by spearheading a choral contest in col- laboration with the EU cultural group. The Innovation 2009 choral performances and competition was held on 14 May in FEU, Manila. The modern world puts emphasis on better use of A display of UNESCO Czech Monu- knowledge and rapid innovation. There is a need for skills ments in the Czech Republic opened on 14 May with a seminar on heritage conservation and competences that enable people to embrace change by Architect Augusto Villalon. as an opportunity and to be open to new ideas in a The Europe Month festivities are pre- culturally diverse, knowledge-based society. Europe needs sented by the European Union’s representa- to boost its capacity for creativity and innovation to tives in Manila, including the Embassies of the EU Member States (the Embassies of respond effectively to the challenges and opportunities of Austria, , Czech Republic, , globalisation. France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Nether- lands, Romania, Spain, United Kingdom) the With the slogan “Imagine. Create. Innovate”, the European cultural institutes (Alliance European Year of Creativity and Innovation aims to raise Francaise, British Council, Goethe Institut, awareness of the importance of creativity and innovation and Instituto Cervantes) and the Delegation of the European Commission to the Philip- as key competences for personal, social and economic pines. Partners for joint EU activities include: development. The EU will offer a framework for raising KLM Royal Dutch Airlines, Air France, awareness of the issues concerned and promoting a Knights of Rizal, SM Mall of Asia, the Ma- nila Bulletin, Ayala Museum and Museo policy debate on how to increase Europe’s creative and Pambata. innovative potential.

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