CEBU CITY, Cebu, Philippines — The Ramon Aboitiz Foundation Inc. (RAFI) and the Catholic Educational Association of the Philippines (CEAP) has drafted an action plan for 2011 meant to advance its partnership and implementation of the Generation, Redemption, and Expansion of Natural Resources Initiatives in the (GREENIN) Philippines Program to the next level.

To recall, in September, 2010, during its annual convention, the RAFI and CEAP signed a Memorandum of Agreement in line with the latter’s adaptation of GREENIN Program which will be implemented among member schools. Meanwhile, under aforesaid action plan, training for GREENIN Philippines Program champions will be conducted starting this month.

These champions, which are CEAP member schools, are tasked to implement the program in their respective regions following the forest development model stipulated in the GREENIN Philippines operations manual. In Northern Luzon, the training will be held in Baguio City this month.

It will be followed by similar training in February, March, April, and May for the champions of Southern Luzon, National Capital Region, the Visayas, and Mindanao, respectively. RAFI and CEAP also plan to hold a Champions/Partners Summit in September during the CEAP 2011 National Convention in Davao City.

The summit aims to provide a venue for the GREENIN Philippines Program champions to share their best practices in developing forests with other partners and stakeholders. (Phoebe Jen Indino)

P480-M OMNIBUS LOAN SIGNED

KALIBO, Aklan, Philippines (PIA) -- The Land Bank of the Philippines (LBP) and the Provincial Government of Aklan has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) on an Omnibus Term Loan Facility at the Conference Room of the Provincial Guest House here.

The LBP was represented by Wilhelmino Agregado, LBP 1st Vice President and Aklan province by Governor Carlito S. Marquez.

The loan facility involves P480 million and is payable in 10 to 15 years. The signing was witnessed by other Aklan officials led by Vice Governor Gabrielle Calizo-Quimpo and Sangguniang Panlalawigan members.

Department heads of the provincial government also witnessed the signing. Agregado thanked the Aklan government and Governor Marquez for choosing Land Bank as its loan facility to finance the province’s various developmental projects.

“The provincial government is one of the most-valued clients of the LBP in Aklan”, Agregado said. The LBP likens the P480 million Omnibus Term Loan as a credit line or stand-by fund.

“When you need it, it will be there,” said Vivian Cañonero of the LBP Lending Center. Cañonero said the signing is a milestone for the province, as the loan is only granted to qualified local government units.

ILOILO MEDIA GETS A HOME

ILOILO CITY, Iloilo, Philippines - The Iloilo Press Club finally gets a building. Ilonggo born journalist-turned-businessman Rommel Ynion donated P20 million for the construction of a press building to be constructed within a 300-square meter lot in Molo district.

“This building should symbolize our (business and media) solidarity,” Ynion said after the groundbreaking ceremony. “This is a unifying effort to bring together disgruntled members in our profession.”

The three-storey building, which is envisioned to feature state-of-the-art facilities, is expected to be finished in six months.

Danny Fajardo, former Iloilo Press Club president, expressed contentment, particularly as he said he had been waiting for 15 years for a home to be built dedicated exclusively to house the interests of media in Iloilo. (Tara Yap)