Exhibits from the severe impact of wars on cities commemorating the IHL month

 

 ICRC Philippines head of delegation Boris Michel delivers his opening remarks for the panel discussion on War in Cities. Seated from left Panel moderator Sahar Haroon, ICRC regional legal adviser; and panelists, Ambeth Ocampo, professor of history, Ateneo de Manila University; Col. Alvin Luzon, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Philippine Army; and William Corkill, Head of the ICRC Philippines’ Water and Habitat team.

Manila (ICRC) – In the Philippines, August has been designated as International Humanitarian Law (IHL) Month. IHL is also known as the law of armed conflict, the rules of war. Since time immemorial, people have fought against each other, for myriad reasons—over resources, borders, and beliefs, just to name a few. The history of many nations is marked by war. IHL seeks to bring humanity in these terrible situations, with rules that protect the well-being lives and dignity of civilians and those who are no longer part of the fight, such as the sick and the wounded. If respected, these rules minimize the long-term damage caused by armed conflict to communities.  

        IHL is the bedrock upon which the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) is founded. The ICRC is specifically mentioned in the Geneva Conventions and tasked with a mandate to assist and protect those who have been affected during conflicts. The ICRC is present in more than 90 countries. This includes the Philippines, which ratified the Geneva Conventions on October 6, 1952, as the country continued to recover from the horrors of World War II.  

         Armed conflicts are increasingly being fought in urban areas. Wars in cities cause innumerable suffering to civilians, disrupting their livelihoods, the education of children, and the delivery of essential services. From Marawi to Mariupol, the world has witnessed how urban conflicts have resulted in destruction, poverty, and death.

         The International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), in partnership with the Embassy of Switzerland in the Philippines and the Intramuros Administration, launched on August 18 the “War in Cities,” exhibit, which features objects that were found following the armed conflicts in Iraq, and the Philippines, specifically from Marawi and Zamboanga. The exhibit, held as part of commemorations of international humanitarian law (IHL) month in the Philippines, is open to the public from August 19 to 31 at the Baluartillo de San Francisco tunnel in the historic Fort Santiago, Intramuros, Manila.

        On this day of August 18, launched the event featured a multidisciplinary panel discussion composed of Ambeth Ocampo, professor of history at the Ateneo de Manila University; Col. Alvin Luzon, Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Philippine Army; and William Corkill, Head of the ICRC Philippines’ Water and Habitat team. They discussed the humanitarian challenges posed by conflicts in urban areas and the ways in which authorities can encourage and reinforce respect for IHL in these situations.

        In his opening remarks, Boris Michel, Head of the ICRC delegation in the Philippines, said that the Philippines was an active participant in the multilateral process, led by Ireland, to develop a Political Declaration on Explosive Weapons in Populated Areas. The Declaration was finalized this year and will be opened for signature in the coming months. The Declaration includes a strong, clear statement that States need to change the way that they plan and conduct hostilities in populated areas to protect civilians and civilian objects from harm.

        “This is a significant step towards better protection for populations living in urban centers, and is an excellent demonstration of commitment to international humanitarian law. We are encouraging all States to endorse the Declaration when it opens for signature, and to fully implement its positions,” he said.

        The “War in Cities” exhibit was first mounted by the ICRC in Geneva, Switzerland, in 2017. This traveling exhibit provides the public a glimpse of the humanitarian needs and resilient spirit of those who lived through urban warfare.

        Visitors can expect to see a disfigured doll recovered from the rubbles of a home in Iraq, a badly damaged desk sourced from a school in Zamboanga, and drawings made by children affected by the Marawi conflict, among others. The exhibit will also show audio-visual materials from the ICRC archives dating back to 1922, and audio excerpts of testimonies by former ICRC staff and from other people affected by urban conflict. (with reports by Jun Enriquez, Iligan City)

PSFI marks its 40th year Anniversary

 BY JUN ENRIQUEZ

 

PSFI Scholars Alumni with Mr. Sebastian Quinones, Jr. (red shirt) PSFI Executive Director

 

Cagayan de Oro City – 40 years ago, Pilipinas Shell Foundation, Incorporated (PSFI) was conceptualized as corporate social responsibility (CSR) of the Shell company importing oil products in the Philippines. The concept was turn into reality when a great man in the name of Ceasar Buenaventura eagerly pushed for the creation of the foundation. On July 19, 1982, PSFI was established aimed to serve the out-of-youth (OSY) to be trained at the National Manpower and Youth Council – Regional Manpower Training Center (NMYC-RMTC) nationwide, now the Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA).

 The PSFI accepted applications from OSY for scholarship program through the process of examinations and interviews. One of the testing centers was located at the NMYC-RMTC in Iligan City. It may recall that Iligan City was dubbed as the Industrial City of the southern Philippines due to the many factories found in the area. The program was named Sanayan sa Kakayahang Industriyal (SKIL) whose scholars will undertake trainings on courses such as Automotive Mechanics, Electricity, etc., good for 3-6 months trainings.

 In Iligan City, the PSFI elevated the scholars to continue their studies on three – year Technical courses at the Mindanao State University-Iligan Institute of Technology (MSU-IIT) and must pass the entrance examination of the University and will be the basis in PSFI ranking system. The scholars received stipends, PSFI uniforms and medicines on monthly basis. The PSFI holds 15 batches of scholars numbering thousands of beneficiaries in a span of 40 years. Another program added to the PSFI portfolio along the way was the Sanayan sa Kakayahang Agikultura (SAKA).

 During the 40^th Anniversary celebrations held at the Divisoria amphitheater this City, July 19-20, with the presence of Mr. Sebastian C. Quiniones, Jr., Executive Director of PSFI, who was the guest of honor, in his message said that the theme of the celebrations “Moving Further”, was taken from the idea of the PSFI President and founding chairman Ceasar Buenaventura, 93 years of age, is still the current chairman of PSFI. The theme “Moving Further” is to continue a new endeavor of serving the people because what is done is done and it needs to move further, Quiniones narrated the statement.

 Quiniones said that the current activities of PSFI are related to environmental protection to reduce plastic waste grind into pieces mix in cement hollow blocks and served as livelihoods to the people in Macabalan this city; Health activities to fight and prevent HIV, malaria and other health cases; Livelihood for women on food processing, especially to single mothers; Biyahero program involves traffic education to reduce traffic accidents; and the continued SKIL scholarships program. One of the main partners of PSFI of the later time is the Local government of Cagayan de Oro City.   

 One of the memorable moments during the 40^th Anniversary celebrations was the testimonial of PSFI scholar experienced 40 years ago. Standing in the podium was Maria Lourdes F. Camu, graduated from the course Diploma in Electronic Engineering Technology major in Industry, at the MSU-IIT, Iligan City. Camu was 2^nd batch PSFI scholar in 1983. She said that all the scholars were coming from OSY, who stopped studying from college due to financial constraints in the family to continue college education. Here comes the PSFI scholarships opportunity for the OSY, she said.

 Camu expressed emotionally the sad experiences she encountered as a student and the rest of the PSFI scholars that the 300-peso monthly stipend was not enough to sustain their needs. Sometimes they asked toothpaste from other students, borrowed shoes from friends, no more pen and paper to use but asked their classmates who have had extras. She said all these challenges were being overcame with perseverance and patience and asked all the PSFI scholars to unite fight for survival and don’t let the PSFI scholarship program to collapse.

 Camu said if she gave up her PSFI scholarship and decided to get married, she thinks she will suffer more difficulties in life. In her message, the 40 years of PSFI existence many of the scholars survived and changed their lives. They are now living with their own families with pride and dignity, landed stable jobs in local and abroad, successfully sent their children to college and graduated in different courses like doctors, nurses, accountants, teachers and many more. Finally Camu said “We are proud PSFI Scholars!” (Jun Enriquez, 4^th Batch PSFI Scholar-Alumnus, multi-skilled practicing Journalist based in Iligan City)

 

What is CSJ in Peace?

 

My Point of View 

Jun Enriquez

 First and foremost, my thanks and appreciation to the Publisher, Mel Velez of the prestigious local paper, BUKIDNON DISPATCH, published for the month of July 2022, for giving me the opportunity to express my views and opinions in dealing with Conflict Sensitive Journalism (CSJ).

 This is my maiden issue at the BUKIDNON DISPATCH Tabloid by Publisher Mel Velez, to discuss about the concept of Conflict Sensitive Journalism (CSJ) of helping of preventing conflict and countering fake news through writing correct news articles, reports based on facts and truth. CSJ was conceptualized on many obstacles in peace emerging world conflicts. Peace is not only the absence of war but peace begins in everyone self. CSJ reporting is based on facts and truth of the actual situation through the conduct of investigating using the basics in journalism on any incidents or events happened to formulate the correct context of the story.

 In addition, it will be analytical using the problem or conflict analysis tools based on the information gathered to arrive results the impact of whys’. In such manner, during the process of the analysis, it will redounds to the identification of the problem, establish the root causes of the problem and what will be the impact recognizing who will be affected socially, economically, and other concerns and how it will affect peace.

 At this point, the next step is to identify who are the players of conflict to better know their positions of the problem that might be ally or conflicting roles and responsibilities as an institutions or individuals, leading to the process of solving the problem to arrive on a compromise solution.

 However, there is a need to recognize the conclusive positions from the conflict players to arrive common interest and needs especially to the sector affected by the problem. Given to have correct problem analysis will arrive correct solution results to the reduction if not avoided the tensions of conflict. The transformation of conflict into peace will have a better peaceful community and avoidance of negative peace by achieving positive peace through community peace dialogues. Negative peace is considered to be temporary with the presence of security forces to prevent conflict, while the positive peace is the absence of conflict and violence to have a better place to live on. 

CSJ+R fellows during CSJ workshop

 Congratulations to the CSJ reporters in Mindanao for having a successful workshop assessments of the training on Championing Holistic on Media Practice (CHAMP), held in a resots in Opol, Misamis Oriental, 15-18 July 2022, coming from different organizations such as, the Civil Society Organization Forum for Peace (CSO-FP), Iligan City; Manggagawang Media ng Mindanao (MMM), Surigao Youth Convergence (SYC); and KUMUNET of Cotabato City. Also extends my thanks and appreciation to the German Development Cooperation – Civil Peace Service (GIZ-CPS) of Germany for their continued support for the institutionalization of the CSJ.