UNESCO in the Philippines

The Philippines has thrown its support for the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) stand on
press freedom, saying it jives with President Benigno S. Aquino III's
social contract with the Filipino people.

In his statement at the opening ceremonies of the CI (Communication
and Information) Commission meetings held during the 36th UNESCO
Conference in Paris, France on Monday, Presidential Communications
Operations Office Secretary Herminio Coloma Jr. said the Philippine
government is committed to protecting the citizenry, particularly
journalists, in the practice of their profession.

"... the Philippines wishes to express its strong support for the CI
sector's vigorous promotion of freedom of the press, freedom of
expression, and freedom of information as these freedoms are hallmarks
of our government's Social Contract with the Filipino people under the
leadership of President Benigno S. Aquino III," Coloma said.

"We wish to particularly underline our support for IPDC's
(International Programme for the Development of Communication – a
multilateral forum in the UN system designed to mobilize the
international community to discuss and promote media development in
developing countries) function as an oversight body on the safety of
journalists. Our government is fully committed to the creation of an
environment that will ensure the safety and protection of journalists
in the practice of their profession," he added.

He said the government is working towards enacting the Witness
Protection, Security and Benefit Act that aims to strengthen the
protection of this fundamental right.

Coloma also said the government is adapting a UNESCO-inspired
communication for development (C4D) framework that hopes to "create a
community of citizens and strategic guide of the different
communication and information agencies of government towards an
authentic two-way dialogue between the people and the state."

The Communications Secretary also reaffirmed the country's commitment
to promote the five major programs of the Organization's Information
for All Programme (IFAP), particularly the program on Media and
Information Literacy.

The overall goal of IFAP is to help UNESCO Member States develop and
implement national information policies and knowledge strategies in a
world increasingly using information and communication technologies
(ICT).