AMBASSADOR GAA ON THE 2010 PHILIPPINE NATIONAL ELECTIONS
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As the 2010 Philippine national election approaches, I am pleased to inform all registered Filipinos under the
Overseas Absentee Voting (OAV) Act that the Commission on Elections (COMELEC) has sent out all the election
ballots to registered voters here in the United States. I would like to take this opportunity to once again exhort
everyone to participate in this year’s elections, to make manifest the right accorded to us by the constitution and
that which defines the Philippines as the oldest democracy in Asia.
And as part of our vigorous efforts to encourage Filipinos to participate, the Embassy has launched a special
2010 OAV page on its website containing relevant information and updates on the upcoming elections. Entitled
“BUMOTO 2010,” it features a step-by-step procedure on postal voting, a virtual listing of all candidates as well
as a comprehensive list of electoral mails that have been forwarded to the Embassy.
Registered overseas absentee voters under the jurisdiction of the Embassy (Alabama, District of Columbia,
Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia,
Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, Turks & Caicos, Aruba, Jamaica, Haiti, Trinidad and Tobago, Dominican
Republic and Guantanamo Bay) who did not receive their ballots due to postal issues may check their names
on the OAV page. If your name is on the list, you may claim your ballot no later than May 7, 2010 at the Philippine
Embassy in Washington D.C., 1600 Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20036. The election period
for overseas absentee voters will commence from April 10 to May 10, 2010, 6:00 a.m. EST. You may also reach
the OAV Secretariat of the Embassy at telephone nos. 202-467-9319, 202-467-9387 or 202-467-9381.
Registered overseas absentee voters who fall under the jurisdiction of one of the Philippine Consulates
General in the United States may verify with the website of the Post that has jurisdiction over your state of
residence or you may contact the concerned Post directly. END.
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DepEd-2 conducts 2010 Literacy Awards
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Tuguegarao City (29 March) -- In support to the national government's commitment to achieve the United
Nations goal of reducing adult illiteracy, the Department of Education (DepEd) Region 2 and the Literacy
Coordinating Council (LCC) have mobilize all sectors of the society to promote and disseminate the importance
of literacy programs.
In DepEd Memorandum #28, the program aims to expand and institutionalize literacy efforts by motivating and
recognizing individuals, institutions and local government units through awards and appropriate recognition,
and further encourage the development and replication of innovative, creative and indigenous literacy programs.
The Regional Director of DepEd and the chief of the Alternative Learning System (ALS) will spearhead the
selection process and apply the revised set of criteria and guidelines. The selection process has started on
March 26 up to April 26, 2010 and the declaration of regional winners will be done on the 29th of April. Regional
winners will be elevated for the national search.
Dr. Norma Salcedo, DepEd-LCC head, said the literacy programs has demonstrated that it can help alleviate
poverty, provide livelihood, address social welfare needs, promote freedom and make education facilities
accessible.
She said in spite of difficulties such as poor compensation, hampered mobility due to geographical and peace
orders problems, inadequacy of teaching materials; the commitment and dedication of the workers and
institutions have not dimmed even slightly.
The search has two categories; the Outstanding Literacy Program Award which is conferred to a
non-government or civic organization, academe or institution, which has evident positive impact on the learners
and the community; and the Outstanding Local Government Unit Award which is awarded to a local government
unit which has developed policies, programs and projects conducive to literacy development.
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10 Million Movement for Mother Earth launched in Cagayan Valley
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Tuguegarao City (29 March) -- The Cagayan Valley Environment and Natural Resources office has launched the
10 Million Movement (10 MM) in the region which seeks to gather 10 million individual commitments to do
something for Mother Earth.
In an interview with Regional Executive Director Benjamin Tumaliuan, he said the 10 MM is the highlight of the
Earth Day celebration on April 22, 2010 with the theme, "Hamon ng Panahon: Climate Change, 10 Milyong
Solusyon (Kilos na! Ngayon Na!)
In Region 2, the DENR has envisioned to make a significant contribution to the 10 MM by targeting .5 million
signatures of environmental partners from all walks of life.
A sign-up sheet will be sent to government, non-government and in the private sectors all over the region to
gather.5 million commitments for the environment.
Tumaliuan stressed that the individuals who will affix their signatures in the sign-up sheet should commit to at
least one of the following pro-environment activities: pollution/monitoring; clean-up and rehabilitation; greening;
advocacy and other ways of caring for the Earth.
"Climate change is the most serious problems that we are facing today and everyone has a role to play to
contribute to its solution", Tumaliuan added.
Everyone is encouraged to effect behavioral changes such as reducing use of energy; managing wastes
properly by reducing, recycling and reusing; promoting and patronizing collective and non- pollutive modes of
transport; planting indigenous trees, shrubs, flowering plants; advocating to make environment a top priority
agenda of the country and electing leaders who are aware that "Environmental Security is the highest form of
national security.
The DENR has also lined up various activities in the five provinces of Region 2 such as advocacy, pollution
control, clean-up drive and tree planting.
President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo has declared April 22 as the "Philippine's Earth Day" through Presidential
Proclamation Nos. 553 and 1276 making Earth Day a permanent environment holiday in the country.
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