Manila (27 October) -- Delegates from 68 countries recently issued the Manila Declaration during the Third Global Congress of Women in Politics and Governance held at the Dusit Thani Hotel last October 22, assigning women a bigger role in the global campaign vs climate change.

The declaration stated: "Underscoring that women are vital agents of change, holders of valuable knowledge and skills, and can be powerful leaders from community to global level in climate change mitigation, adaptation and in disaster risk reduction."

The Manila Declaration, however, denounces "the absence of a gender perspective in the global agreements on climate change, despite national, regional and international commitments, and legally binding instruments on gender equality."

The Manila Declaration was unanimously passed by the delegates.

The participants declared that: "Women and men must equally participate in climate change, disaster risk reduction, decision-making processes at community, national, regional and international levels."

The declaration did not stop at principles (as some declarations do which minimizes their effectiveness), but went on to give specific recommendations.

More information about the Manila Declaration is available at www.capwip.org/3rdglobalcongress1.html. (SGP)

4CRG, MBLT1 conduct anti-terrorism symposium in Basilan

Isabela City, Basilan (27 October) -- Some 500 high school students from Maluso National High School (MNHS) in Basilan, together with faculty members and school officials participated in the anti-terrorism information campaign jointly conducted by the AFP's Civil Relations Group and the marines in Basilan last October 21, 2008.

Held at the school's social hall, the symposium was conducted in support to the 1st Marine Brigade's anti-terrorism and insurgency campaign to pursue lasting peace and development as envisioned in Basilan by its Commander Col. Rustico O Guerrero PN(M), the 4th Civil Relations Group, CRSAFP under Maj Gamal S Hayudini PAF and the Marines Battalion Landing Team 1 (MBLT1) under LTC Jose P Cabanban PN(M) in coordination with Mrs Ludivina Kanni, MNHS school principal.

The activity's objective is to raise public awareness and advocacy drive to the students in helping to address insurgency, terrorism and other threat groups and further enable them to effectively and efficiently confront the various security threats, from becoming the target of recruitment and terrorists atrocities.

During the symposium, PO2 Sammy Said PN discussed about Knowing the Enemy and the 4 A's on How to fight terrorism while the 2nd speaker PFC Jovian Diesto PA also elaborated the different Threats to National Security such as the CPP/NPA;MILF Lawless Group (MLG); ASG and other lawless element atrocities that affects the peace in Mindanao.

Some 20 pieces of bags were also given as incentives to students and teachers who actively participated during the discussion/open forum. Hundreds of anti-terrorism/educational posters/leaflets also distributed to students to further enhance the effect of the information drive against terrorism and to encourage them to study hard for a brighter future.

Meanwhile, MBLT1 personnel led by Cpl Charlie Benalla PN(M) also assisted in the distribution of posters and leaflets, transportation and security at the venue that immensely contributed in the success of the said joint endeavor.