Aquino gov’t bullish over ICT sector in the country‘as 12th ASEAN ICT Meet opens in Cebu today’
By Fayette C. Ri�en
CEBU CITY, Nov 15 (PIA) -- The Aquino administration remains bullish in the growth of the country's information and communication technology (ICT) sector, which has generated US $11 billion dollars in direct revenues last year.
“In the Philippines, our ICT industry, which is now at the forefront of the BPO (business process outsourcing) race, has enjoyed continuous growth and expansion…and contributed 638,000 new jobs, giving our people opportunities to live more comfortable and safer lives,” President Aquino said in his message to the 12th ASEAN Telecommunications and Information Technology Meeting (Telmin 12) which opened in Cebu this morning.
In a speech read for him by President Jejomar Binay, the President said, "Renewed optimism in our government and institutions and increased investor confidence in the skill and quality of the Filipino workforce have contributed to the success of the ICT industry in the country."
More than 200 foreign and local delegates in the ICT sector attended the meeting.
“These past two years, our efforts have resounded one clear message: the Philippines is open for business under new management,” Aquino said.
The government recognizes the important role of the ICT and has developed policies that would improve our internet use and broadband penetration. “As quoted in the ASEAN ICT Master Plan 2015 from World Bank studies, a 10 percent increase in the broadband use will result in 1.3 percent hike in the overall ASEAN gross domestic product (GDP),” Aquino said.
The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) through its Information and Communications Technology Office (ICTO) executes various programs that address the overall ICT needs of the country.
The DOST-ICTO has initiated the ICT Industry Development Program in order to further minimize the digital divide and to equip the people with the necessary skills and resources, the President said.
A larger and more connected ICT industry in this part of the world means more efficient services, which in turn ensure satisfaction, encourage greater interest, and thus ultimately lead to business expansion and investments, he said. Aquino added that, "a connected ICT also means empowering more of our peoples giving them a chance to speak out their minds, to contribute to social discourse and development."
“This is about promoting transparency, accountability, and efficiency in both our private and public spheres. At the end of the day, our work here is all about building on capacities and bridging gaps and ensuring that everyone has an equal access to information and opportunities,” the President said.
The two-day meet carries the theme “ICT: Connected ASEAN, Enabling Aspirations.” Among those who attended were Telecommunications and Information Technology Ministers from the 10-ASEAN member nations and six dialogue partners from China, Japan, Korea, India, the European Union and the International Telecommunications Union. (FCR/PIA 7)
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PAF announces the recruitment for enlisted personnel
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Nov. 15 (PIA) -- The Philippine Air Force (PAF) through the Philippine Air Force Personnel Management Center is currently recruiting applicants to become an Enlisted personnel who will be a Candidate Soldier (CS).
The qualifications for male or female should be natural born citizen of the Republic of the Philippines; with at least 72 college units; height must be 5’0” for both male and female; and for Indigenous people/member should submit certification from National Commission on Indigenous People Main Office; not less than 18 years old and not a day older than 23 years old upon admission for training (born from 30 April 1990 to 30 April 1995); Single and no legal obligation to support a child or children; physically and mentally fit for military training and with good moral character.
Requirements must have an authenticated photocopy of NSO Birth Certificate; authenticated copy of transcript of records or for graduating/currently enrolled students – certificate of completion of number of units earned from the school registrar and two pieces 2x2 pictures. Deadline for submission of application will be on November 26, 2012.
For Visayas, there will be a simultaneous schedule of examinations on December 1 at the 560th ABW, Mactan Benito Ebuen Air Base, Lapu-Lapu City and TOG 6, Dingle, Iloilo City.
For Luzon, on November 24 will be held at the AETC, Fernando Air Base, Lipa City, Batangas, TOG 1. Loakan Airport, Baguio City and 580th ACWG, San Fernando City, La Union; November 28 at the TOG 5, Legazpi Airport, Legazpi City, 600TH ABW, CAB, Angeles City, Pampanga and TOG 2, Cauayan Airport, Cauayan, Isabela. On December 1 will be at the 570th ABW, Antonio Bautista Air Base, Palawan and December 4 will be at the PAFPMC, Col Jesus Villamor Air Base, Pasay City.
For Mindanao, on November 24 will be held at the 530th ABW, EAAB, Zamboanga City and TOG 10, Lumbia Airport, Cagayan De Oro City and another schedule will be on November 28 at the TOG 12, Datu Udin Sinsuat, Awang, Cotabato City and TOG 11, Sasa, Davao City.
They will be trained at the summer capital of the Philippine Air Force at Air Education Training Command, Lipa City, Batangas.(HFG/PIA-7/PAF)
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Visually impaired trainees join White Cane Safety Day celeb
By Hazel F. Gloria
CEBU CITY, Nov 15 (PIA) --- More than 50 visually impaired (VI) trainees of the Department of Social Welfare and Development Field Office 7, through the Area Vocational Rehabilitation Center II (AVRC II) in Labangon, Cebu City joined recently the White Cane Safety Day celebration.
White Cane Safety Day is celebrated yearly to promote and protect the physical, moral, and social well-being of all persons with disabilities (PWDs), such as those visually impaired.
The activity aimed to raise awareness on the plight of PWDs as well as promote to uphold their rights.
A lecture on the basic sighted guide techniques and an actual simulation activity on the use of a cane were also undertaken by all AVRC trainees. Sighted individuals served as guides to the visually impaired clients.
The event was capped by a mall tour during which 21 visually impaired persons had an opportunity to tour SM City Mall at the North Reclamation Area, Cebu City.
Part of this tour was the orientation on how to embark and disembark in public utilities like jeepneys.
While inside the mall, they were also able to interact with mall personnel like the salesladies and cashiers and had the chance to explore the whole supermarket which they had never done before.
All of them also experienced riding an escalator and elevator for the first time.
The use of the white cane dates back to 1921 when a Bristol photographer named James Biggs used it to help him move around after he lost his vision in an accident. He chose the white cane so that even at night, he would be visible to pedestrians and motorists.
Thus, the white cane is a symbol of greater mobility for the visually impaired and of their full participation in the community.
AVRC is DSWD’s non-residential institution that provides rehabilitation programs and services to persons with disabilities (PWDs) through the various courses they are offering ranging from therapeutic massage, motor rewinding, basic electronics, dressmaking, carpentry, commercial cooking, and cosmetology.(rmn/HFG-PIA-7/DSWD-7)