Globe BridgeCom sa Bayan Project

Recently Globe Telecom, in partnership with ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation and Task Force Davao conducted a farming and vegetable production and livelihood training for the Marilog, Paquibato and Baguio districts of Davao City.

Dubbed as Globe BridgeCom sa Bayan Sustainable Livelihood for Barangays, the program aims to help empower communities in maximizing their local resources and skills to develop their own communities.

Ms. Nileema Noble, UN Resident Coordinator and UNDP Resident Representative, participated in a panel discussion during the lanching of Globe BridgeCom sa Bayan project. In order to help achieve the Millennium Development Goals, she highlighted the role of the private sector in unleashing the power of local entrepreneurs by using the company’s managerial, organizational, technological innnovation to improve the lives of the poor.

The project aims to provide local community leaders training on entepreneurship and mico-credit financing in selected barangays. Now on its second year, the project is being implemented in partnership with Globe Telecom and ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation.

Other members of the panel discussion included Mr. Gerardo Ablaza, Jr., President, Globe Telecom, Ms. Gina Lopez, Vice Chairperson, ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation, Ms. Imelda Madarang, Executive Director, Philippine Center for Entrepreneurship, and Mr. Ed Morato, Jr., President, ABS-CBN Bayan Foundation.
 

International AIDS Candlelight Memorial

Solidarity Message of the UN on the Occasion of the International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, delivered by Dr. Jean Marc Olive, HIV/AIDS Theme Group Chair and WHO Representative

As thousands of communities across the world commemorate the AIDS Candlelight Memorial, the United Nations family affirms its solidarity with all who have been affected by HIV and AIDS.

In the Philippines, the light of commitment shines bright among the various stakeholders across the country. Goverment, civil society, multi sectoral bodies, and most importantly people living with HIV and their affected families, friends and loved ones, have consistently shown commitment to addressing the various issues related to HIV and AIDS.

With the unwavering commitment of the country’s stakeholders, we dare to hope for a brighter tomorrow. There are indications that the future may be a better one for those infected and affected by HIV. Recent developments  have made anti-retrovirals (ARVs) more accessible to persons living with HIV. Intensified advocacy, together with strong political will, are essential to ensure that this access to ARV’s and health services continues. The special needs of children should also be prioritized such as the access to pediatric preparations of ARVs and a comprehensive package of service for orphaned and vulnerable children.

It has been 23 years since the first International AIDS Candlelight Memorial, and many lives have been lost to AIDS. It is my fervent hope that with improved access to ARV’s and related services, there will be fewer lives lost to AIDS. And as we remember our friends and loved ons who have been lost to AIDS, let us keep within us the hope for a brighter future.

In behalf of the United Nations System and the UN Theme Group on HIV and AIDS, I affirm our solidarity with the Girls, Women and HIV/AIDS Network-Philippines, with the PLHA community, and with our partners who continue to keep the flame of commitment shining bright.

Mabuhay and Good evening!

31st UNESCO ITI Theater Olympics Of The Nations

UN Resident Coordinator Ms. Nileema Noble graced the closing ceremonies at the Manila Hotel Centennial Hall and delivered the key message on behalf of the UN Secretary General Kofi Annan.

She was welcomed by Ms. Jeniffer Walpole, Secreatry General of ITI, Ms. Cecile Guidote-Alvarez, Executive Director, National Commission for Culture and Arts, and Ambassador Preciosa Soliven, Secretary General of the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines.

For one week, international and national theater luminaries from 90 countries participated in the 31st UNESCO – International Theater Institute (ITI) World Congress and Theater Olympics of Nations with the theme “Ancestral Roots to New Artistic Routes of Expression: Mobilizing Cultural Diversity to Achieve the Millennium Development Goals.”

For the first time in the country, theater enthusiasts were treated to an array of cultural plays from around the world at the Cultural Center of the Philippines (CCP).