Day of the Unborn observed

source: manila bulletin
MANILA, Philippines — The nation joins several countries across the globe in the annual observance of the Day of the Unborn Thursday, March 25, in recognition of the unborn, as well as to put a stop to the practice of abortion.

The celebration, which originated in El Salvador in 1993 as the Day for the Right to be Born, coincides with the Catholic Church’s observance of the Feast of the Annunciation, marking the Incarnation of Christ in the womb of the Blessed Mother.

In the country, a prayer rally for life dubbed “Prayer Rally: Unite for Life” will be held from 4 p.m. to 9 p.m. tomorrow at the Quirino Grandstand in Luneta, Manila. (Christina I. Hermoso)

Nat'l Land Use Code
The Philippine Institute of Volcanology and Seismology (Philvocs) asked lawmakers Wednesday to enact laws that would ensure the creation of a National Land Use Code as well as the strict implementation of building codes as part of the country’s disaster preparedness program.

During the House Committee on National Defense and Security hearing on earthquake and disaster preparedness, Philvocs director Renato Solidum Jr. urged the Congress to add more teeth to the laws concerning the land use and the implementation of the building codes.

“We don’t have national land use code. It should be acted upon by Congress,” he told the committee. (Charissa M. Luci)

Cooperation pressed
Improvements in the economy have been realized early in the administration of President Aquino but its impact in fighting poverty will be hardly felt without strong good governance programs.

Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. made this statement as he underscored the crucial role of sustained exchanges and cooperation between and among government institutions, the academe and the private sector, in molding leaders and educators who could promote good governance.

Belmonte spoke during the launching ceremonies for the Temasek Foundation: Policy, Governance and Capacity Building Programme for Philippine Leaders and Educators (PGCB Program) at the Ateneo de Manila University recently. (Ben Rosario)

Nat'l year of forests
President Aquino has declared this year as the National Year of the Forests (NYF) in the government’s bid to increase awareness on sustaining and conserving the denuding forest cover in the country.

Aquino signed Proclamation No. 125 declaring 2011 as the National Year of Forests also in accordance with the United Nations (UN) declaration of the International Year of Forests this year.

“The Philippines, as of the member states of the United Nations and a Party to the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), recognizes the International Year of Forests as an opportunity to increase awareness of the importance of forests and the central role of people in its conservation and sustainable development,” the Proclamation read. (Madel Sabater)

Barangay assembly day
All 42,000 barangays in the country will tackle disaster preparedness concerns in their respective localities on March 26 during the synchronized Barangay Assembly Day.

Interior and Local Government (DILG) Secretary Jesse M. Robredo said Wednesday that the barangay assembly would be the most opportune moment for barangay officials to reach out to their constituents and prepare them for any natural disasters. recently,” said Robredo.

source: manila bulletin