AUSTRALIA, UN AGENCIES LAUNCH PHASE III OFFLAGSHIP 15-YEAR STUDY ON FILIPINO CHILDREN

MANILA — Ahead of the International Day of the Girl Child, the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), in partnership with the Australian Government, the United Nations Children’s Funds (UNICEF), the National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), and  the University of San Carlos - Office of Population Studies (USC-OPS), launched the Phase III implementation of the Longitudinal Cohort Study on the Filipino Child. This unique study tracked the development of Filipino children over 15 years.  It followed the same group of 5,000 children from age 10 in 2016 until the end of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in 2030. 

“This [launch] and this study is a timely reminder of the importance of investing in the health, education, and well-being of adolescent girls,” said UNFPA Country Representative Dr. Leila Joudane. “We are at that crucial point in time when the children covered by the study are going through the tumultuous and crucial period of adolescence, when they develop knowledge and skills, learn to manage emotions and relationships, and acquire abilities that will be important for them as they become productive members of society.”

Thanh Le PSM, the Australian Embassy’s Development Counsellor, emphasised the importance of the greater dissemination of the study’s findings to help inform policymakers address the needs of Filipino children and girls. “This study will help put girls at the centre of decision-making efforts, which aligns with Australia’s International Development Policy that also prioritises addressing gender equality.  And so Australia is pleased to announce our continued support for a third phase of the Filipino child Cohort Study.” 

 “As we launch the third phase of the Longitudinal Cohort Study on the Filipino Child and celebrate the International Day of the Girl Child, we remember all the girls who are still unable to complete their education, access comprehensive health and nutrition services, and live free from gender-based violence and harmful practices. As girls call for change, we must move beyond reaffirming commitments and make bold investments for their rights”, UNICEF Representative Oyunsaikhan Dendevnorov said.

During the launch, researchers from USC-OPS shared key findings from the study. They pointed out that girls fared better during the first six years of the study – for example: 

During their earlier years, teenage boys are more likely to engage in risky behaviors such as smoking and drinking alcohol than teenage girls. At age 13 to 14, 7.7% of boys have tried smoking, compared to only 2.5% of girls. Similarly, 21.8% of boys have tried drinking alcohol, compared to 12.8% of girls.

In terms of education, at age 16, girls are more likely to be on track with their schooling than boys (85% of girls vs. 75% of boys). This means more girls were in age-appropriate grades, were not delayed or repeated a school year.

The researchers noted, however, that the study also shows the unique challenges related to gender norms and stereotypes that could significantly impact the futures of girls.

Data gathered at age 15 to 16 of the respondents showed that 2.6% of the girls have already experienced early pregnancy while 3% are already cohabiting or living with their partners, compared to only 1% of the boys.

And while the majority are asked to perform household chores, unequal gender norms or stereotypes are observed as girls spend more time (40% more) on such tasks when compared to boys. This might mean they have less time for studying or rest. 

“We already know from other national studies that women are less likely to be able to participate economically and in decision-making during adulthood. Our cohort study aims to learn why this happens and what factors contribute to girls losing their edge as they reach adulthood. We are hopeful that the study will generate insights that will help stakeholders provide solutions and enable women to realize their full potential,” said one of the study’s researchers Dr. Nanette Lee-Mayol, Director of the University of San Carlos - Office of the Population Studies Foundation, Inc.

As the sexual and reproductive health agency of the United Nations, UNFPA pointed out that ensuring that adolescent girls “have access to comprehensive sexuality education and sexual and reproductive health services will benefit not just their adult life but also our society and the next generation of children.”

Joudane said the challenge for them now is to work closely with the government and other development partners to use the rich data and information from the study to reduce the structural barriers to services for adolescents and to address factors that cause high rates of adolescent pregnancy, child marriage, mental health disorders and violence against girls.      

JOINT STATEMENT OF THE DEPARTMENT OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS AND THE DEPARTMENT OF TRADE AND INDUSTRY ON THE 6TH PHILIPPINES-AUSTRALIA MINISTERIAL MEETING TO BE HELD IN ADELAIDE

Upon the invitation of Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong and Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell, Secretary for Foreign Affairs Enrique A. Manalo and Secretary of Trade and Industry Alfredo E. Pascual will travel to Australia to jointly preside over the 6^th Philippines-Australia Ministerial Meeting (PAMM) on 10 October 2023 in Adelaide, South Australia. 

The 6^th PAMM represents an important opportunity to chart the course of the newly established Strategic Partnership between the Philippines and Australia, building upon the recent meeting between President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and Prime Minister Anthony Albanese in Manila last month. 

Key areas of discussion will include bilateral trade, investment, and economic relations, security and maritime cooperation, development cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and regional and global issues of mutual interest. The Philippines and Australia share a steadfast commitment to advancing peace, stability, and prosperity in the region, amplifying the significance of this meeting. 

Both Secretaries hold strong confidence that the forthcoming PAMM will contribute to the deepening and broadening of cooperation between the Philippines and Australia across diverse domains, ultimately benefiting both our nations

B. B. M.

“BaBangon Muli ang Agrikultura.” This will be our rallying cry as we go and start transforming Philippine agriculture through the help of the private sector. It won’t be easy or quick, but the timing will be right, thanks to the political certainty of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s historic mandate from the people and the urgency of addressing food insecurity.

At the beginning of his term, the President made it clear that agriculture would be a priority area. I am sure he knew how difficult the job would be. Remember that when he assumed the presidency, the world was five months into the Russia-Ukraine conflict. For two years before that, the pandemic had disrupted global supply chains. The war further choked the passage of many important commodities – wheat, most of all. And need I mention climate change and the destruction of important crops in Europe and the Americas because of floods and droughts?

I remember seeing wheat prices go through the roof, and soon after other commodities like sugar, milk and even today, oil. Even the largest companies suffered, as did the biggest economies in the world.

I recap the events of the past couple of years just to give perspective. The Philippines is not alone in experiencing towering inflation, high fuel prices and a general malaise in its economy. Everybody, everywhere is feeling the pinch, especially the poorest who must now make do with less food on the table. Even powerful men like the President suffer the effects when public opinion tells the administration, through lower approval ratings, of how hard life is.

To his credit, the President did not challenge the results of the pollsters. Instead, he acknowledged how Filipinos are feeling right now; he said he understands their sentiments completely. “Kaya hindi mo masisi ang tao. Talagang naghihirap sila, eh,” he said. “Ibang usapan kapag bigas,” he added.

Rice hits at something visceral in the Filipino. One economist pointed out that it shouldn’t be so, because other parts of the country are not as dependent on rice as the people are in Luzon. But, unlike other food staples in the country, it is rice that is romanticized and politicized. Like the President said, ibang usapan na kapag bigas.

I believe that was the correct response. It shows empathy and a promise to do better by his countrymen.

It’s easy to get swept up in the panic and the blame game, not realizing that it took years of neglect and mismanagement for us to get to this point where we have the problems that we have in agriculture. And it will take years to fix them. But we are starting to recover. Policies are being put in place, and a lot of housecleaning is being done.

Getting our country’s agriculture industry back on track is a long game. It is just unfortunate that the long-standing problems of Philippine agriculture, including the low productivity of our farms, are now aggravated by climate change and all the disruptions it brings. These factors we cannot control, only mitigate. What we can control are how we cluster our farms, how productive we can make them and what policies we can put in place to make these changes sustainable.

I think very few will dispute the fact the roots of underdevelopment in the country can be traced to the structure of our economy, which is mostly rural and agricultural. Low productivity has long hounded the sector. This is due to attempts to implement a land reform program that resulted in fragmented farmlands that cannot deliver the scale required to make a decent living for our farmers, much less give them access to technologies that could make their meager landholdings more productive.

What we need is to scale up agriculture, mentor our farmers and give them the technologies they need such as weather forecasting and modern farming methods. We also need to put in place the regulatory frameworks that could make transformative agriculture possible.

Fortunately, we have big-brother companies in our midst who see how uplifting the small farmers can redound to so many benefits down the road. When the small parts of their operation are well-functioning, the whole system runs smoothly and becomes profitable for everyone, from the chairman down to the smallest farmer in the value chain.

We’ve seen this big-brother model work in franchising and retail. Even the biggest malls in the country will be the first to tell you that they rely on a network of small and medium enterprises to keep their operations going. Small, startup stalls and brands infuse fresh ideas into even the biggest retail operations in the country.

The franchising model shows mentorship in action for beginning entrepreneurs. Many entrepreneurs get their start through franchises. They get their feet wet by signing up as franchisees and plugging into an established system that guarantees them a built-up brand and a back-end system that they can learn from.

I am happy to share that such big-brother mentorship is now happening on a regional scale. We have signed the private sector from seven out of nine ASEAN member-states to join the Philippines in an Agri-MSME Development initiative that is patterned after our very own Kapatid Angat Lahat sa Agri Program.

The situation in the region is not unlike our own here in the Philippines. Of the ten ASEAN member-states, four countries still have around 20 percent of their population living in poverty. That is why it is heartening when countries like Singapore and Brunei – where poverty is almost nonexistent – agree to sign up and help their less prosperous neighbor countries and their farmers. We recently had a meeting with Brunei and we are optimistic that the Agri-MSME Development plan we had formalized with several MOUs last September during the ASEAN Leaders Summit will soon be up and running.

This will be a fitting run-up to the Philippines’ chairmanship of the ASEAN come 2026.

Science chief wants Filipinos to transform from disaster victims to victors through innovation

Several major disasters have struck Mindanao, including Tropical Storm Sendong in 2011, severe El Niño effects from 2015 to 2016, earthquakes in 2019, and heavy rainfall-related incidents in 2022. All these disasters resulted in a significant number of casualties and property damage. While these events were caused by natural hazards, does that mean a disaster will automatically occur?

The answer is no, according to Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. as he shared his insights and keynote message at the opening of the 2023 Handa Pilipinas: Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Exposition for the Mindanao Leg with the theme, “Enhancing Resilience and Sustainability for Mindanao” held on October 04, 2023 at the Limkektai Luxe Hotel in Cagayan de Oro City.

"Disasters happen, when we, as the government, as a community, and as an individual fail to anticipate, prevent, mitigate, and prepare for natural hazards. Disasters happen when we fail to make use of the available and reliable scientific information to guide our planning, decision making, and action. Disasters happen when we fail to work together in responding to its consequences and impacts," said Secretary Solidum.

Why is it imperative to foster resilience, particularly in Mindanao? What exactly are we gearing up for?

Sec. Solidum explained that primarily, we have to recognize that disasters are undoing the strides in development. Few things erode progress as swiftly and comprehensively as disasters do, capable of obliterating years of advancement in an instant. He added that consequently, as we strive to bolster our economy in Mindanao, safeguarding our resources and wealth necessitates a concerted effort to mitigate climate and disaster risks.

He also emphasized that the Philippines continues to hold the distinction of being the most vulnerable nation in terms of natural hazards and climate change. Recently, on September 20, 2023, the World Risk Report 2023 affirmed our vulnerability, ranking us first among 193 countries for the second consecutive year. Climate change is exacerbating the intensity and unpredictability of existing hazard events, disproportionately affecting the most vulnerable communities.

"But we also see an opportunity to change this narrative. We need to take a firm stand and commitment to reduce our vulnerabilities and make our own redefined and reimagined Filipino brand of resilience. And we cannot do that alone. We need the whole-of-society to make our vision of safer, adaptive, climate and disaster-resilient Filipino communities towards sustainable development a reality," said Sec. Solidum. 

Lastly, Secretary Solidum emphasized that the Philippines, renowned as an archipelago of risks, has seen its fair share of disasters in Mindanao. Notably, Tropical Storm Sendong in 2011 claimed over 1000 lives and impacted nearly 700,000 people. From 2015 to 2016, El Niño wreaked havoc, leading to states of calamity in areas like Maguindanao and Cotabato City. Mindanao was also struck by a series of earthquakes in 2019, causing significant damage. Most recently in 2022, heavy rainfall led to fatal incidents in Maguindanao del Norte, underscoring the region's vulnerability 

"Although, we Filipinos are often known as victims of disasters. Today, with our innovations, we become victors. Filipinnovation represents how knowledge drives innovation, innovation drives productivity, and productivity drives economic growth. But it is also an evolution of how Filipinos are not merely managing disasters, instead managing disaster risks, not only surviving disasters but instead creating solutions to face it, emerging as victors," said Sec. Solidum. 

At the core of HANDA Pilipinas Expo 2023, especially in Mindanao, lies a focus on Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management. This three-day activity seeks to raise public awareness about preventable issues we encounter today and introduce locally developed technologies ready for adoption. These innovations are geared towards maximizing their potential in disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, and rehabilitation.

Some of the Filipino made and ready-to-adopt technologies featured in the Mindanao Expo are from the DOST's warning agencies, DOST-PHIVOLCS and DOST-PAGASA which deliver reliable, effective, and timely risk information and warnings to the public.

Notable technologies he mentioned include SatRex, the GeoRiskPhilippines Initiative, and significant research initiatives such as Landslide Investigations on Geohazards for Timely Advisories by UP Los Banos and the Community Dengue Early Warning System by Isabela State University.

"The early warning system's purpose is to offer people the time needed for preparation, emphasizing the significance of early action,” said Sec. Solidum.

Additional technologies featured include Rainwater Collection System and USHER Technologies for disaster preparedness, as well as Clean Water, Healthy Food, DIY-Bamboo Shelter, and Mobile Command and Control Vehicle for disaster response, rehabilitation, and recovery. These innovations can be explored in the Prevention and Mitigation exhibit.

"Disasters happen when we forget this very important message from a campaign from the United Nations Office for Disaster Risk Reduction or UNDRR which is there’s no such thing as natural disaster, only natural hazards. Earthquakes, tsunamis, volcanic eruptions, tropical cyclones, and even climate change are natural hazards. This is part of natural phenomena. What makes it not natural is when these natural hazards become a disaster," said Sec. Solidum.

The 2023 Handa Pilipinas Expo in Mindanao will run until October 06, 2023. Stay tune to the DOST Philippines and DOST 10 Facebook pages for more information.  The last leg will be held in Tacloban City on November 08-10, 2023, coinciding with the 10th year when Typhoon Yolanda struck the areas. (30)

DOST Introduces Empowering DRRM Innovations and Technologies in Mindanao to Enhance Resiliency and Sustainability

Cagayan de Oro City, October 5, 2023 – The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) brings Handa Pilipinas: Innovations in Disaster Risk Reduction and Management (DRRM) exposition in Cagayan de Oro City for the Mindanao Leg, marking another significant milestone for the region.

With the theme "Enhancing Resilience and Sustainability for Mindanao," the DOST aims to educate and empower various stakeholders and the public with over a hundred innovations and technologies that have the potential to boost the region’s economy and improve the lives of its over 26 million people

“As we aspire to grow our economy here in Mindanao, we need to protect our resources and our wealth by reducing climate and disaster risks,” said DOST Secretary Renato U. Solidum Jr. He stressed that disaster resilience is not only crucial for economic development but also for human rights and well-being. “Nothing undermines development like disasters do. It can destroy years of progress in local communities in an instant, even the aspirations of the Filipino people who want a safe and resilient community.

Solidum also emphasized that the Philippines remains one of the most vulnerable nations to the adverse impacts of climate change, which scientists worldwide observe are becoming increasingly intense and unprecedented. ”The most vulnerable suffer the most. But we also see an opportunity to change this narrative. We need to take a firm stand to reduce our vulnerabilities and to reimagine a new brand of Filipino resilience.”

Through science, technology, and innovation, the science chief said that Filipinos can embrace a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship, with research and development as the foundation. "Disasters happen when we, as a government, as a community, and as individuals, fail to anticipate, prevent, mitigate, and prepare for these natural hazards. Disasters occur when we fail to make use of available and reliable scientific information to guide our planning, decision-making, and action,” Solidum said

From October 4 to 6, visitors can expect engaging exhibits showcasing a wide range of innovations and technologies in disaster prevention, mitigation, preparedness, response, recovery, and rehabilitation. These were funded, developed, and supported by the DOST and brought to life by state universities and colleges, science foundations, local government units (LGUs), other government entities, and the private sector.

In collaboration with the Office of Civil Defense and the Department of the Interior and Local Government, the DOST launches forums, tech pitching, training, and workshops on

various topics, including risk communication, flood warning systems, GeoRiskPH platforms, and discussions on bamboo technologies that can be used in disaster preparedness.

Meanwhile, DOST-PAGASA is setting up an inflatable mobile planetarium, providing educational sessions on scientific concepts about the universe to the public, especially students. The expo will also feature enjoyable activities that will appeal to the youth such as a quiz bowl and TikTok contest

The HANDA Pilipinas Exposition is a nationwide event. The Luzon leg was held at the World Trade Center in Pasay City from July 27 to 30 with the theme "Megacities at Risk." Meanwhile, the Visayas leg will be conducted from November 8 to 10, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of Super Typhoon Yolanda, with the theme "STY remembered: Understanding Risks and Preventing Disasters."

About DOST

The Department of Science and Technology (DOST) is the lead agency for the development of science, technology, and innovation in the Philippines. DOST is committed to advancing research and technology to enhance the country's resilience and sustainability in the face of disasters. The HANDA Pilipinas Exposition is one of its flagship programs aimed at promoting disaster risk reduction and management technologies, resiliency, and sustainability. This event supports the four pillars or strategies of the DOST for 2023-2028, namely: human well-being, wealth creation, wealth protection, and sustainability. 

PH Rises Up to Rank 56th in the Global Innovation Index 2023

MANILA, PHILIPPINES 05 October 2023–The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) reported that the Philippines rose three notches in the latest Global Innovation Index (GII) 2023 rankings, ranking 56th overall. 

Over the past five years, the country has been considered an outperformer, surpassing expectations on innovation relative to its level of economic development among other countries. The Philippines has also been part of the Top 10 climbers of the decade (2013-2023).  

In the latest rankings, the Philippines performed well in Business sophistication (38th), Knowledge and Technology outputs (46th), and Market Sophistication (55th). However, there need to be more interventions to advance our Human capital and Research (88th), Infrastructure (86th), and Institutions (79th).  

“As the world accelerates innovation faster than we could have imagined, we must be consistent in our goal of driving innovation across all industries. We must remain committed to our goal of shaping the future of this country to be a global innovation leader and a breeding ground for technological advancements. We need to change the mindsets of our people, recommend reforms of institutions, and lead a pathway towards global competitiveness,” DTI Secretary Fred Pascual said.   

The DTI and the Department of Science and Technology (DOST) continue to work together in laying down the foundations for building platforms and innovation ecosystems through the establishment of Regional Inclusive Innovative Centers (RIICs). Since 2019, there have already been 13 active RIICS across the Philippines and this number is continuously growing. Through these RIICs, various government agencies, the academe, and industry convene to drive the innovation, creativity, and entrepreneurship agenda across the country.  

Further, RIICs aim to drive research commercialization and continuously build an institutional support system for innovation. In line with the recent launch of the National Innovation Agenda and Strategy Document (NIASD), the country’s blueprint for innovation, several National Government Agencies such as the Office of the President, DTI, DOST, National Economic and Development Authority (NEDA), Department of Agriculture (DA), Department of Environment and Natural Resources (DENR), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Transportation (DOTr), Department of Health (DOH), Department of Energy (DOE), Department of National Defense (DND), Department of Information and Communications Technology (DICT), Commission on Higher Education (CHED), Department of Budget and Management (DBM), Department of Education (DepEd), Department of Interior and Local Government, Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA), Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), and Intellectual Property Office of the Philippines (IPOPHL) also forged their commitment to creating harmonized programs to fuel a dynamic innovation ecosystem. 

DTI Undersecretary for Competitiveness and Innovation Group (CIG) Rafaelita Aldaba emphasized the government’s support to accelerate the development of the country’s human capital, which it considers as the country’s main asset in driving innovation and global competitiveness.

“We are committed to investing in our young Filipino talent. It is our belief that our people are our main competitive advantage among our peers. We need to continue to inspire the next generation of game changers, nurturing creativity, supporting technological innovation, and building an enabling environment for innovation and entrepreneurship,” DTI Undersecretary Aldaba said. END

About the Global Innovation Index 

The Global Innovation Index (GII) takes the pulse of innovation against a background of an economic and geopolitical environment fraught with uncertainty. It reveals the most innovative economies in the world, ranking the innovation performance of around 132 economies while highlighting innovation strengths and weaknesses. 

Envisioned to capture as complete a picture of innovation as possible, the Index comprises around 80 indicators, including measures on the political environment, education, infrastructure, and knowledge creation of each economy. 

The different metrics that the GII offers help to monitor performance and benchmark developments against economies within the same region or income group. 

DTI: October is Consumer Welfare Month; practice the 7Rs of Sustainability

The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) spearheads the month-long celebration of CWM this October, starting with the DTI Bagwis Fun Run on 01 October 2023 at the Quezon City Memorial Circle.  

This year's CWM theme is “GenS: Generation Sustainable”, emphasizing the rise of more environmentally conscious consumers, the importance of responsible consumption, and adopting sustainable lifestyles to foster genuine and long-term change. It highlights the importance of consumers consciously making sustainable choices when purchasing goods and services and supporting government-led initiatives and grassroots efforts to promote sustainability. For this year, the theme is based on the 7Rs of Sustainability: Rethink, Refuse, Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Repurpose, and Repair. 

“The DTI hopes that celebrating CWM would inspire a shift in consumer behavior, encouraging them to adopt more sustainable practices.  We can all help protect our planet for future generations by working together and making small changes in our daily lives”, says DTI Assistant Secretary Jean T. Pacheco, Officer-in-Charge of the Consumer Protection Group (CPG).   

Throughout the month, the DTI will hold activities aligned with the 7Rs to help create interest and awareness on Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP). In addition, a wide range of affordable manufactured goods will be up for grabs as the DTI continues to hold the Diskwento Caravan in Makati City, Quezon City, and San Juan City. Other activities include webinars, monitoring, and laboratory visits. The DTI Regional and Provincial Offices will likewise conduct various activities such as Quiz Bee, Zumba, Seminar, Poster Making Contest, Diskwento Caravan and Awarding of Bagwis Seals, among others.  

For more information about the 2023 CWM activities, everyone is enjoined to visit the DTI Consumer Care page or send an email to CPAB@dti.gov.ph.