[av_one_full first min_height=” vertical_alignment=” space=” custom_margin=” margin=’0px’ padding=’0px’ border=” border_color=” radius=’0px’ background_color=” src=” background_position=’top left’ background_repeat=’no-repeat’ animation=”]
[av_heading heading=’Nat’l issues tackled in Aklan media forum’ tag=’h3′ style=’blockquote modern-quote’ size=” subheading_active=’subheading_below’ subheading_size=’15’ padding=’10’ color=” custom_font=”][/av_heading]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
Monday, June 26, 2017
[/av_textblock]
[av_textblock size=” font_color=” color=”]
KALIBO, Aklan – National officials from different government agencies visited the capital town of Kalibo to bring national issues to the grassroots during the first media forum in honor of late Cong. Allen Quimpo of Aklan on Saturday.
The event, dubbed first Congressman Allen Salas Quimpo Memorial Media Forum, was attended by more than 200 participants coming from different government agencies, representatives from the education sector, heads of business and socio-civic organizations, students and members of the media from Aklan, Panay, and other parts of the Visayas.
The media forum tackled the different programs of the national government particularly the anti-illegal drugs program of President Rodrigo Duterte and the campaign for federalism.
“Solving the drug problem of the country needs the involvement of all circuits of the society including the ordinary citizen,” said Interior and Local Government Undersecretary John Castriciones during his talk.
During Duterte’s first year of office, Castriciones said at least 1.4 million have already surrendered under the Oplan Tokhang.
He said part of the antidrug campaign is the creation of rehabilitation centers for the surrenderers.
Castriciones likewise tackled the campaign for federalism. He stressed that Aklan is one of the areas that would greatly benefit if the government system would change to federalism.
However, he clarified that they are still in the process of crafting a model that will be sufficient to address the unique needs of the country.
“By 2019, we aim to create a model that is acceptable,” he said.
Meanwhile, Tourism Assistant Secretary Frederick Alegre tackled tourism thrusts under the Duterte administration.
Alegre pointed that Aklan remains to be one of the biggest contributors to Philippine tourism.
“Tourism continuous to boom in this province; Boracay continuous to be a number one destination for national and global tourist,” Alegre pointed.
Former senator Heherson Alvarez likewise joined the forum and discussed the Paris Agreement on climate change adaptation and mitigation.
Alvarez pointed that because of climate change, Philippines and neighboring countries would suffer from stronger storms.
“We are the most vulnerable so we are the most affected,” he said adding that the public “must have a gradual understanding of this problem to help reduce carbon footprints that contribute to climate change.”
A discussion about press freedom was meanwhile led by radio broadcaster Waldy Carbonnel.
Programs, policies and projects of the Department of Environment and Natural Resources was also tackled during the forum.
The forum was organized by the Aklan Press Club, Inc., Publishers’ Association of the Philippines, Inc., and Northwestern Visayan Colleges and was sponsored by the Provincial Government of Aklan and the Sangguniang Panlalawigan of Aklan.
The late congressman is known for his contribution in the Aklan media, the academe, politics and his environmental advocacies including climate change. (PNA)
[/av_textblock]
[/av_one_full]
