Representatives from around 26 Catholic religious institutions gathered recently to form an advocacy network that seeks to help address the rising incidence of HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) and AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome) in the country.

The alliance formed during the first National Catholic Forum on HIV/AIDS organized by the Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) National Secretariat for Social Action (NASSA) was composed of health experts from various Catholic hospitals, community workers, and religious leaders.

Initially, the group will assist HIV/AIDS victims while undergoing treatment as well as provide livelihood opportunities.

“The group is willing to collaborate with government agencies in their fight to stop the spread of HIV/AIDS in the country. We need to help each other because the government cannot do this alone.  The Church also has its obligation like teaching moral values,” said Manila Auxiliary Bishop Broderick Pabillo, chairman of the NASSA, during the forum which was also attended by Department of Health (DoH) National Epidemiology Center (NEC) chief Dr. Eric Tayag and United Nations — AIDS country coordinator Ma. Teresa Maries Bagasao. (Christina I. Hermoso)

Prolonged rainy days
Agriculture Undersecretary Joel Rudinas believes the country may be in for heavy rains in the second semester, long after the current El Niño episode is gone.

Rudinas issued this statement at the sidelines of the weekly Friday Balitaan sa Rembrandt even as he predicted the impact of the dry spell would most likely lead to a harvest of only 7 million metric tons (MMT) of palay for the first half of 2010.

“The official estimate is 7.4 MMT while the Bureau of Agricultural Statistics (BAS) says the likely yield is 7.2 MMT. The impact of El Niño may bring it down to 7 MMT,” he said.

Rudinas said he appealed Friday morning to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Food Program (WFP) to help Filipino farmers burdened by El Niño.

“I met with them this morning and they said they will be ready to pitch in,” he revealed.

The agriculture official said he has given a deadline for personnel of the Department of Agriculture (DA) to determine who need food aid, noting that many farmers would go hungry if the dry spell continues. (Marvyn Benaning)

DENR website launched
Environment and Natural Resources Secretary Horacio Ramos asked all citizens to commit “green” acts to ensure the immediate recovery and continuing protection of Mother Earth during the launch of the website of the 10 Million Movement last Monday.

Ramos led the Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Earth Day Network Philippines, Inc. (EDNPI), and SMART Communications, Inc. during the launch, which is part of a series of activities for Earth Day 2010.

“This activity is part of our campaign to gather 10 million commitments for the environment from all over the country. Every Filipino is encouraged to commit to an environment-friendly act, which can be as simple as turning off the lights and all electrical appliances when not in use,” Ramos said.

The web site is accessible via www.10mm.ph.

Those interested to be part of the “10 MM” can sign up via the web site and choose from a list in the “I commit to…” dropdown menu. Email address, mobile number, city and province will be requested so that the signee can be reached for future pro-environment activities in the area. (Marvyn Benaning)