CEBU CITY – The Region 7 office of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) is asking persons with disabilities (PWDs) talented in art, and those who have connection with them to join next year’s Very Special Arts (VSA) International competition.

Jaybee Binghay, DSWD7 information officer said the National Council for Disability Affairs (NCDA) has tapped them to urge talented PWD students to join the said competition as it is a good venue for them to share their gifts.

“The NCDA has requested DSWD to invite disabled students and students who have connection with them to join VSA activities,” she said. Competition categories include VSA International Young Soloists Awards and VSA Call for Writing.

The soloist award hopes to recognize and facilitate outstanding young disabled musicians internationally.

The main aim of the annual award is to acknowledge the artistic achievements, assist and induce these artists to achieve a successful career.

Since 1994, the Young Soloist Program has sought to identify talented disabled musicians with those participating given a chance to earn $5,000 monetary award worth $5,000 and a performance in Washington D.C.

Moreover, the contest is open to students with disabilities and students who are connected to them to showcase their accomplishments and promote increased access to the arts for people with disabilities. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

S.U. gets institutional accreditations
DUMAGUETE CITY, (PIA) – The Federation of Accrediting Agencies of the Philippines (FAAP) has confirmed early this week the granting of Institutional Accreditation status to Silliman University (SU), making it the first recipient of such accreditation in the Visayas and one of only five schools in the Philippines accredited as such.

Institutional accreditation is the highest distinction awarded to a school, with consideration to its number of individual program accreditations and the result of an overall evaluation of the quality of its facilities, services, and faculty.

SU continues to be the school in the Philippines with the highest number of individual accredited programs.

SU President Dr. Ben S. Malayang III wrote in a letter, saying, “Truly, this is one nice Christmas gift to Silliman University.”

He said the recent development reflects the continuing challenge to the university to give life to its Christian ministry of education, and constantly improve its programs and services.

Other Philippine schools granted institutional accreditation are Centro Escolar University, Trinity University of Asia, Ateneo de Naga University and Ateneo de Davao University.

Excell Awards to be adopted nationwide
ROXAS CITY, Capiz (PIA) -- The Excellence in Local Governance (EXCELL) Awards will be implemented in all local government units (LGUs) in the country next year.

Interior and Local Government Secretary Jesse Robredo revealed during the awarding ceremony in this year’s Western Visayas EXCELL Awards in Bacolod City recently that he will make a directive for the adoption of said search nationwide.

Capiz DILG Operation Services Chief Llanie Destacamento disclosed that Robredo had said that the EXCELL Awards, currently only implemented in Region VI, will be adopted in all regions by 2011.

Robredo, she said, appreciated and recognized the value of said competition for LGUs as it is beneficial for people as LGUs are trying to give the best governance to their constituents.

The EXCELL Awards was started in 2008 by the DILG – 6 under Regional Director Evelyn Trompeta which recognizes the best managed local governments in the regions that demonstrate the best practices, achievements as well as innovations in governance, administration, social services, economic development, environmental management and local legislation.

The program also aims to advocate for transparency and accountability in governance, positively reinforce good performers, popularize replicable best practices, and identify possible interventions to improve LGU performance.