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THE country’s biggest food and beverage
conglomerate, San Miguel Corporation, proved its corporate heart is
in the right place by donating around $500,000 worth of food
supplies to provinces hardest hit by Typhoon Frank.
The donation is estimated to
benefit at least 50,000 families in Aklan, Capiz, Antique, and
Romblon, provinces identified by the National Disaster Coordinating
Council (NDCC), as in dire need of food. It will consist of various
food items such as canned goods, instant noodles, coffee and bottled
water.
“Many of our countrymen in
these provinces are still struggling to survive the aftermath of
Typhoon Frank. Right now, hunger is a very real problem in these
provinces and we would like to help address this,” said SMC
President and Chief Operating Officer Ramon S. Ang who has been
spearheading SMC’s many corporate social responsibility (CSR)
initiatives.
“We hope our efforts will make
some difference not only in their day-to-day survival but also in
their struggle to rebuild their lives,” he added.
Food sources in the province have
been scarce since the typhoon wreaked havoc on crops over two weeks
ago. Fishing has also been banned in many areas due to health risks
brought about by the sinking of passenger ferry M/V Princess of the
Stars in waters off Romblon.
The Department of Social Welfare
and Development, meanwhile, has agreed to channel SMC’s food
donations to the various Provincial Disaster Coordinating Councils
of the provinces, to allow for speedier distribution.
The company, through subsidiaries
San Miguel Pure Foods Company Inc., San Miguel Brewery Inc., and
Ginebra San Miguel Inc., had earlier channeled immediate aid to
Iloilo, Bago City, and Cebu, shortly after the typhoon struck.
k k k
The first authoritative and
up-to-date book on the state of the telecommunications and ICT
industry in the country in relation to national regulations will be
launched today at the NTC Fellowship Hall.
Regulation of the
Telecommunications/ICT Sector, the Philippine Experience 1900-2007
is co-authored by former NTC Deputy Commissioner Kathleen Heceta and
incumbent Deputy Commissioner Jorge Sarmiento. The book launch
coincides with the celebration of the 29th anniversary of the
National Telecommunications Commission (NTC).
The book consists of
authoritative, multi-disciplined work that provides a comprehensive
overview of the telecommunications and ICT sectors. It covers varied
topics such as the important periods in the life of a regulator, the
metamorphosis of laws surrounding the two sectors, rules and
regulations governing the industry, and stories from the public and
end-users. It is a compendium of clear, concise, and organized
knowledge that is impossible to find anywhere.
Dr. Hamadoun Toure,
Secretary-General of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU),
says in the book’s foreword that it is “a valuable reference for
the ICT industry, for policy makers and regulators, for engineers
and innovators as well as for end users. It points the way forward
for the next generation of telecommunications/ICT in the
Philippines.” Dr. Toure further states that a progressive
regulatory framework will invite further investments and growth in
the industry. A growth, he says, that will benefit even those who
live in the remotest islands of the Philippines.
DOTC Secretary Leandro
Mendoza agrees that regulation paves the way for effective solutions
towards the full enjoyment of the benefits of telecommunications and
ICT.
Playing host to the book launch
is a collaborative sponsorship of the NTC, the Telecommunications
and Broadcast Attorneys of the Philippines, and authors Atty. Heceta
and Atty. Sarmiento.
Atty. Heceta retired from
government service in May 2005 and was a former NTC Deputy
Commissioner who served five presidents of the Philippines. She has
been involved in various activities such as drafting vital
instruments, laws, rules and regulations, both at local and
international levels. She has represented the Philippines in
national, regional and global conferences, meetings and negotiations
such as in the WTO, Asean, and others. Atty Sarmiento is the
incumbent Deputy Commissioner of the National Telecommunications
Commission. He served in various high ranking capacities in the
legislative, judiciary, and executive branches of government.
Presently, he represents the country as member or head of Philippine
delegations to a number of regional and global conferences and is
much sought after as chair, speaker, panelist, and moderator in
national, regional, and international conferences.
--bizzfizz_98@yahoo.com
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