Peace advocates highlight role of media, communicators
in peace campaign
By Venus L. Garcia
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 17 (PIA) – The Office of the
Presidential Adviser on the Peace Process (OPAPP) made an emphasis on
maximizing the capacity of the media, public relations officers and government
information officers to communicate to people the significance of achieving
sustainable development as the key component in any peace process.
During the Media and Communicators Forum held in
this city, OPAPP Undersecretary Diosita “Jojo” Andot said that aside from peace
talks, the government is doing its efforts to respond to the root causes of
rebellion and conflicts. "Hence, we need to multiply our efforts in
addressing insurgencies. We also recognize the level of involvement of the
media and government communicators in peacebuilding and in playing a more
constructive role in the peace process," she said.
In a press conference held prior to the forum,
Andot said that they are working on the strategic framework for peace,
specifically for Mindanao, with inputs from different regions. “The assessment
revealed that there are still areas which are lagging behind in terms of
development,” Andot added.
When asked about what interventions were undertaken
by OPAPP regarding the Marawi siege, Andot pointed out that they provided
necessary venues and opportunities for the affected individuals to interact
with them and hear their views, sentiments, expectations, and express their
emotions.
“We’re helping the internally displaced persons
(IDPs) to be more prepared as they go back to their places stricken by war,
apart from the socio and financial support, and capability building. And
underlying all these are conflict sensitivity, gender responsiveness and peace
promotion approaches to peace and development rather than promotion of
conflict.
She also expressed that there is a need for
everyone to develop a sense of ownership to the efforts of the government.
“Convergence and establishing linkage with the communities are important, as
there will be development if there is peace and cooperation,” she said.
Meanwhile, OPAPP Assistant Secretary Rolando
Asuncion recognized the strong commitment of the Caraganons to pursue peace and
development. He emphasized that Caraga is the only region in the entire country
that has crafted a "Roadmap to Peace.”
Asuncion also said that as highlighted by the
“Peace Buzz,” they intend to show government initiatives, such as its peace
programs and projects to the people. He added that addressing conflicts and
attainment of peace should be done as a national effort.
Topics that were tackled during the forum include
the updates on the Philippine Peace Process; the Comprehensive Agreement on
Respect for Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL); and the
roles of women and indigenous people in the peace process and community
peacebuilding.
According to Allan Almoite, manager of OPAPP Area
Management Team of Northern Mindanao, the role of the local media partners and
communicators is vital in promoting public awareness about the peace process.
This was also supported by a statement from OPAPP
Conflict Prevention and Management Unit Director Ferdinand Jovita, underscoring
that communication is crucial to achieve peace. “It's a matter of framing the
communication strategies to effectively convey to the people what the
government has been doing, especially in the attainment of peace. It is hoped
that after the forum, each participant will become an instrument and
communicator of peace," he said.
Meanwhile, Agusan del Norte Governor Maria Rosedell
Amante-Matba also encouraged everyone to remain optimistic that we’ll achieve
lasting peace, as she believes that when there is hope, help from different
stakeholders to resolve conflicts will continue to come and flow. She added
that even little issues can be addressed through collaboration and eventually
attain peace.
In time with the forum, the Philippine Information
Agency (PIA) Information Kiosk was installed at the venue, where participants
got the chance to grab copies of information, education and communication (IEC)
materials containing the programs and projects of the government
“It is important for everybody to have an in-depth
understanding of the peace process and know how they can contribute and
participate in order for the Philippines to be globally competitive with all
other ASEAN member countries. Peace and development can be achieved if we
educate and engage others,” emphasized PIA-Caraga Regional Director Abner Caga.
The conduct of the Media and Communicators Forum
was in line with the celebration of the National Peace Consciousness Month
anchored on the theme, “Puso para sa Kapayapaan, Magkaisa para sa Bayan,” which
reflected the positive changes that the country can experience through
compassion and unity among Filipinos. (VLG/PIA-Caraga)
DOE wants fair retail power competition
BUTUAN CITY, Oct. 17 – Power retailers and
consumers should be able to compete fairly under the retail competition and
open access (RCOA) system, Department of Energy (DOE) Secretary Alfonso G. Cusi
said during the second public consultation on the RCOA policy at the Park Inn
by Radisson Clark in Pampanga.
“We have to properly explain to the industry
players our way forward in implementing the ‘power of choice’ provisions of the
Electric Power Industry Reform Act (EPIRA) and one of them is the provision on
retail competition and open access,” Cusi told some 130 representatives from
contestable customers, retail electricity suppliers and distribution utilities
who attended the meeting on the draft circulars on RCOA.
“The demand-side contestable customers and the
supply-side retail electricity suppliers must be guided towards a competitive
and transparent system under a fair playing field,” Cusi said.
During the meeting, DOE presented two RCOA
circulars – one containing the policy for contestable customers and the other
containing the policy for retail electricity suppliers.
Contestable Customers
The RCOA policy on the demand side requires
contestable customers with an average demand peak of 500kW and above, to
voluntarily participate in the retail market. It also allows electricity
end-users within a contiguous area whose aggregate average peak demand is not
less than 500kW to voluntarily enter into a retail supply contract as
aggregators, who may purchase and resell electricity on a group basis.
The Energy Regulatory Commission (ERC) will
promulgate the supporting guidelines in the licensing of the retail electricity
suppliers and retail aggregation, and will provide the responsibilities of the
distribution utilities and the Philippine Electricity Market Corporation.
Retail Electricity Suppliers
The RCOA policy for retail electricity suppliers is
for the generation company or its affiliate, an affiliate of a distribution
utility, retail aggregators, independent power producer administrators, prospective
generation companies and other persons authorized by the ERC to engage in the
supply business to the contestable customer to have a license.
The policy also emphasizes the need for licensed
retail electricity suppliers engaged in the generation and distribution sectors
to unbundle their supply business in order to ensure a level playing field.
It likewise provides that distribution utilities
may provide electricity services to contestable customers within its franchise
area, upon authorization from the ERC and compliance with the unbundling
provisions of EPIRA and its implementing rules and regulations.
Ultimate Destination
Cusi reminded the participants that DOE and ERC
must annually review and issue RCOA policies until it reaches the household level.
“The DOE assures the public of its commitment in
moving forward with RCOA, for the benefit of the consumers,” Cusi concluded.
(DOE/PIA-Caraga)
