by Lito Dar

The National Commission for Culture and the Arts (NCCA) is looking into the possibility of the NCCA helping in addressing the cultural dimension of the country’s social problem in support to the good governance vision of President Benigno Aquino III.

According to NCCA executive director Maria Lourdes "Malou" Jacob, PNoy’s administration has been very supportive to the cause of NCCA. It does not dictate and really upholds artistic freedom which could be a big help in really promoting the cultural industry for our Filipino artists,” she said.

Jacob explained that what they are trying to do now is to convince the government that art could also play a big part in pushing the country forward. “If during the time of Jose Rizal the artists are important on the birthing of a nation, now artists are important on the development and upliftment of our country,” Jacod said.
Filipino artists, Jacob continued, should realize their significance, not only for their self but also for the community and to the country as a whole. According to Jacob, artists have different ways wherein they can express themselves -- some of them want to be left alone which we should also respect, but there are also those who want to be part of the community, this is where the NCCA can help by providing the opportunity and avenue to do so.

“It is always a true artist’s role to provide the people new insights and provoke people into action and change of attitude. Artists should look for a new and different way to encourage people to really participate in promoting a really proud Filipino identity,” Jacob said.

Jacob was the guest of honor during the 2nd Tam-awan International Arts Festival, which was successfully held from May 13 to 15, through the partnership of Chanum Foundation Inc., Tam-awan Village, and the NCCA. *(JDP/LD-PIA CAR)

by Lito Dar
The Philippine Nurses Association (PNA) Cordillera Regional and Baguio City chapters join the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in its effort to enjoin all nurses worldwide to help close the gap on access and equity to health care services.

In a press conference here Friday, PNA Regional head Ruth Thelma Tingda said that in line with the ICN- led International Nurses Week celebration from May 6 to 12, the PNA adopted the theme, “Access and Equity to Health Services for a safer and healthier Philippines”, in recognition of the significant role nurses play on the delivery of health care services, not just for the people here in Cordillera but to all Filipinos.

Meantime, PNA – Baguio chapter President Norenia Dao-ayen stressed that aside from programmed activities, the PNA also continuously provides activities and programs that promotes the welfare of the Filipino nurses.

Dao-ayen said they conduct monthly seminar which not only aims to upgrade the knowledge and skills of nurses, but also to familiarize them with the various monthly health activities of the Department of Health and the City Health Office as well.

According to PNA adviser, Dr. Erlinda Castro – Palaganas, the PNA in its almost 88 years of existence, is still very much wanting of really trying to do its share in closing the gap in as far as at access and equity to health care services are concerned.

Palaganas affirmed that there still a lot of things needed to be done though she also assured that nurses would really be a force to reckon with. As a huge human resource body, nurses have the voice and force to put into form certain policy that would really make health care accessible.

In the same press conference, Caridad Binwag, a PNA member who heads the Human Resource and Management Division of DOH-CAR, gave a briefing on the Aquino Health Agenda of Universal Health Care, a focused health reform program which primarily aims to provide all Filipino families especially the poor financial risk protection through enrollment to Philhealth and access to affordable and quality health care facility and services. *(JDP/LD -PIA CAR)