Government of Maribojoc: Travel, Business and News

Peace advocates here found new recruits in the members of half of Inabanga’s 50 barangays as the government and civil society organized human rights (HR) violations watchgroup here.

In its recent efforts to enlarge the peace ripples here, the municipal peace and order council (MPOC) along with barangay captains warmly welcomed the Bohol Local Monitoring Board in launching the local human rights complaint receiving body in the town and its neighboring areas.

The LMB in Bohol was set up to help monitor compliance by the agents of the state and the Communist Party of the Philippines/New People’s Army/National Democratic Front on the Comprehensive Agreements on the Respect for Human Rights and the International Humanitarian Law (CARHRIHL).

CARHRIHL is one of the key agreements entered into by both conflicting parties in the 35 year old struggle to find peace in the country.

In Inabanga, 25 of its 50 barangays with prevalent cases of human rights violations got into the LMB orientation given by Bohol LMB.

Bohol LMB coordinator Romeo Teruel led the board composed of government and civil society agents in giving the proper orientation to the community.

The orientation cascades the roles and responsibilities of the members of the local LMB, which has been institutionalized by an executive order issued by Governor Erico Aumentado.

By the same executive order, Bohol can now set up around six local LMBs, two per district. Aside from Inabanga, District 2 also has an LMB set up in Talibon while District 1 has Catigbian and Loon and District 3 has Mabini and Carmen.

Mayor Jose Jono Jumamoy said he welcomed the development even as he aggressively campaigns for cottage industries translating to more jobs and better hopes for his people who have shown excellence in crafts over time.

Peace, he said is not just the absence of war but having the capability to make out for their lives and living with the means to cover their basic needs.

Historically the hometown of a local hero Francisco Dagohoy, Inabanga has eloquently shouted that the town is home to freedom and peace fighters.  (PIA-Bohol)

In the spirit of promoting meaningful participation of children and youth in nation building, World Vision (WV) hopes to bring out the voices of children and youth through the three simultaneous Children’s Congresses, one of which is ongoing in bohol.

“We hope to give the opportunity to young generation to learn about their rights and responsibilities,” says Maryann Zamora of the WV.

“The congress now becomes one venue where they can discuss issues affecting their well-being, and by that, we also hope we can help them call government attention through the discussion of issues affecting their well-being,” she added.

In Bohol, WV gathers around 100 as part of the 300 children from 34 provinces and 43 cities all over the country attending the simultaneously held events in Laguna and Cagayan de Oro.

Held at the Bohol Plaza from May 25 to 27, the Congress tackles, “Batang taga Visayas: Kakayahan ay linangin; Kalikasan ay pagyamanin; Talino’t galing na kaloob ng Diyos ay gamitin” and focuses on the positive change that children can contribute.

At the congress, children being most vulnerable group during disasters will also learn about climate change and will be encouraged to do their part in protecting the environment.

With delegates coming from different parts of Visayas, World Vision also hopes to unite children to build friendly relationships despite differences in ethnicity, religious beliefs, traditions and culture.

World Vision is a relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities worldwide to reach their full potential by addressing the causes of poverty and injustice.

Through its Child Sponsorship Program, World Vision sends more than 116,000 poor children to school in the Philippines. (PIA-Bohol)

WITH raw materials in its handicrafts easily obtainable by China where cheap labor can churn products flooding international niche markets, how would Bohol crafts fare?

The Department of Trade and Industry says the keyword is innovation.

And in its recently formalized their collaboration with the European Chamber of Commerce of the Philippines’ (EECP) Materials Research and Development Program, a Business Accelerator and Materials Innovation (BAMI) program is now being studied with the raffia weavers of Bohol, particularly in Inabanga and Tubigon.

The Program, which kicked off last January is conceptualized by Materials R&D Project Manager Ingrid Haufe and assisted by freelance designer Doro Barandino, has the key personalities immersed in weaving communities to try on new design patterns and media on locally made crafts, a DTI Bohol source revealed.

“They are currently assisting the raffia weavers in coming up with new design patterns and mixed media applications based on the newest trends,” the source who wishes to remain unnamed said.

By mixed media applications, the weavers are experimenting recycled materials such as newspapers and old plastic twine mixed together with raffia, she shared with the characteristic excitement of a scientist discovering a new product for the market

Other indigenous materials like buri and abaca are also being experimented, she added.

From these hand-wovens, select exporter companies convert them into actual products, and these companies who will have exclusivity on their chosen materials for at least a year.

Other areas of experimentation include the pattern development, and the most recent patterns developed are set for display at the Materials Library at the Cebu Furniture Industries Foundation (CFIF) building.

The first material output will be showcased in Bohol’s raw materials fair in July, while the first products by the companies will be presented in Bijoux Cebu in September and Manila FAME in October. (PIA-Bohol)