2015 PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards On

The country’s agriculture and environment journalists will be honored once again in this year’s edition of a national agricultural journalism contest, dubbed PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards, spearheaded by the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ) in partnership with San Miguel Corporation (SMC).

The contest recognizes the continuing efforts of print and broadcast journalists who churn out comprehensive and quality reportage of the major developments, issues and concerns in the country’s agriculture, fisheries, environment, agrarian reform, food and agribusiness sectors.

The 2015 PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards features a total of 14 individual and institutional categories, said contest chairman Noel Reyes, PAJ vice president, and former information director at the Department of Agriculture.

The three major individual categories are Agricultural Journalist, Agribeat Reporter and Environment Journalist. The top three winners for each group will receive P50,000, P30,000 and P20,000 cash and a trophy, respectively.

The other five individual categories are: Agri Photo Journalist, Agri News Story, Agri Feature Story, and Environment Story. Winners will receive P20,000 cash each and a trophy.

The 2015 PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards will also honor seven groups of media, government and private agencies, whose works will be judged as this year’s winners in the following institutional categories: Agri Section of a National Daily Newspaper, Agri Section of a Regional or Provincial Weekly or Fortnightly Newspaper, Agri Magazine, Agri Newsletter, Agri TV Program, Agri Radio Program, and Agri Info and/or Media Campaign of Gov’t or Private sector agency. The winner in each category will receive P20,000 cash and a trophy.

Reyes said the contest period starts from November 1, 2014 to October 31, 2015, which means all entries should have been published, broadcast, and/or implemented during the said 12-month period.

The requirements for each category are:

• Agricultural journalist, agribeat reporter, and environment journalist – original published clippings or photocopies of at least 10 best articles with corresponding newspaper/publication masthead, date, and byline or tagline;

• Agri news story, agri feature story, and environment story – original published clippings or photocopies of the story with corresponding newspaper/publication masthead, date, and byline or tagline;

• Agri broadcast journalist – five sets of CDs of the 10 best episodes of the contestant’s agri radio or TV program, including certificate of broadcast and endorsement from the station or network manager;

• Agri photo journalist – five sets of original or photocopies of at least 10 published B/W or colored photos with caption, corresponding newspaper/publication masthead, date, and photo credit or certification that said photo was taken by the contestant;

• Agri section of a national newspaper and agri section of a regional or provincial newspaper – five sets of published original or photocopies of 10 best agri section or page;

• Agri magazine and newsletter – five sets of 12 issues (if monthly) or four issues (if quarterly), and a letter of endorsement from the publisher or head of agency;

• Agri info/media campaign – five sets of info/media campaign paraphernalia (program brief, posters, flyer, brochure, radio/TV ad, and preferably campaign results review); and

• Agri TV and radio program – five sets of DVD (for TV) or CD (for radio) disks of at least five best episodes, with corresponding printed scripts, and certificate of broadcast.

Each entry should be accompanied with a nomination letter, endorsed by his/her editor or head of office, and submitted on or before December 31, 2015, to the 2015 PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards Committee, at the PAJ office c/o Filipino Inventors Society Producer Cooperative (FISPC), ground floor near Pizza Hut, Delta Bldg., West Ave. corner Quezon Ave., Quezon City.

For inquiries, please call or text: 2015 PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards Committee, 0920-4889686 or 0925-3025922; or email – norunibest@yahoo.com or marubylumongsod@yahoo.com. No entry fees are required. However, non-PAJ members are enjoined to apply and pay P200 for their 2015-2016 membership and annual fee.

(Noel O. Reyes)

14 people reached

2015 PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards on

The country’s best agriculture and environment journalists will be honored once again in this year’s edition of a national agricultural journalism contest, dubbed PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards, spearheaded by the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ) in partnership with San Miguel Corporation (SMC).

The contest recognizes the continuing efforts of print and broadcast journalists who churn out comprehensive and quality reportage of the major developments, issues and concerns in the country’s agriculture, fisheries, environment, agrarian reform, food and agribusiness sectors.

The 2015 PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards features a total of 14 individual and institutional categories, said contest chairman Noel Reyes, PAJ vice president, and former information director at the Department of Agriculture.

The three major individual categories are Agricultural Journalist, Agribeat Reporter and Environment Journalist. The top three winners for each group will receive P50,000, P30,000 and P20,000 cash and a trophy, respectively.

The other five individual categories are: Agri Photo Journalist, Agri News Story, Agri Feature Story, and Environment Story. Winners will receive P20,000 cash each and a trophy.

The 2015 PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards will also honor seven groups of media, government and private agencies, whose works will be judged as this year’s winners in the following institutional categories: Agri Section of a National Daily Newspaper, Agri Section of a Regional or Provincial Weekly or Fortnightly Newspaper, Agri Magazine, Agri Newsletter, Agri TV Program, Agri Radio Program, and Agri Info and/or Media Campaign of Gov’t or Private sector agency. The winner in each category will receive P20,000 cash and a trophy.

Reyes said the contest period starts from November 1, 2014 to October 31, 2015, which means all entries should have been published, broadcast, and/or implemented during the said 12-month period.

The requirements for each category are:

·         Agricultural journalist, agribeat reporter, and environment journalist – original published clippings or photocopies of at least 10 best articles with corresponding newspaper/publication masthead, date, and byline or tagline;

·         Agri news story, agri feature story, and environment story – original published clippings or photocopies of the story with corresponding newspaper/publication masthead, date, and byline or tagline;

·         Agri broadcast journalist – five sets of CDs of the 10 best episodes of the contestant’s agri radio or TV program, including certificate of broadcast and endorsement from the station or network manager;

·         Agri photo journalist – five sets of original or photocopies of at least 10 published B/W or colored photos with caption, corresponding newspaper/publication masthead, date, and photo credit or certification that said photo was taken by the contestant;

·         Agri section of a national newspaper and agri section of a regional or provincial newspaper – five sets of published original or photocopies of 10 best agri section or page;

·         Agri magazine and newsletter – five sets of 12 issues (if monthly) or four issues (if quarterly), and a letter of endorsement from the publisher or head of agency;

·         Agri info/media campaign – five sets of info/media campaign paraphernalia (program brief, posters, flyer, brochure, radio/TV ad, and preferably campaign results review); and

·         Agri TV and radio program – five sets of DVD (for TV) or CD (for radio) disks of at least five best episodes, with corresponding printed scripts, and certificate of broadcast.

Each entry should be accompanied with a nomination letter, endorsed by his/her editor or head of office, and submitted on or before December 31, 2015, to the 2015 PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards Committee, at the PAJ office c/o  Filipino Inventors Society Producer Cooperative (FISPC), ground floor near Pizza Hut, Delta Bldg., West Ave. corner Quezon Ave., Quezon City.

For inquiries, please call or text: 2015 PAJ-SMC Binhi Awards Committee, 0920-4889686 or 0925-3025922; or email – norunibest@yahoo.com or marubylumongsod@yahoo.com. No entry fees are required. However, non-PAJ members are enjoined to apply and pay P200 for their 2015-2016 membership and annual fee. ### 

PAJ forms Eastern Visayas chapter, OpinYon publisher elected prexy

Published: Tuesday, 08 September 2015 Written by OpinYon

Mr. Ray Junia, OpinYon publisher/editor, at the first business meeting of the Philippine Agricultural Journalists - Eastern Visayas chapter. Mr. Junia was elected PAJ-Eastern Visayas chapter president during the PAJ workshops in Tacloban City, held on August 27 to 28.

The Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ), in its workshop on climate change for journalists in Tacloban, August 27-28, has formed a regional chapter in Eastern Visayas, with Ray Junia, publisher/editor of OpinYon weekly newspaper elected as President.

Junia, a seasoned journalist and media specialist, hails from Tolosa, Leyte. He served as a resource person on ‘Media crisis management,’ during the two-day workshop, attended by 75 tri-media journalists from Tacloban and Eastern Visayas provinces, resource persons from national and regional agencies, PAJ national officers and guests.

The other elected officers of the PAJ Eastern Visayas chapter are: Vice President -Christine Colasito of Department of Agriculture (DA) region 8 chief information officer; Secretary – Lalaine Jimenea, publisher/editor of EV Mail; Treasurer – Chito Morante, Radyo ng Bayan Tacloban; Auditor – Samuel Candido, Radyo ng Bayan, Sogod, Leyte; PIO for print – Erna Gorne; and PIO for broadcast – Dindo Alaras.

The PAJ Climate Change workshop for journalists is sponsored by the DA and MVP group of companies, led by its chairman Manuel V. Pangilinan. The other co-sponsors are the CCAFS regional program on climate change and food security, International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) and World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF).

The Tacloban workshop was the second of a four-leg series, with the first held in Legazpi City (July 31 – Aug 1). The third and fourth legs will be held in Siargao (Sept 17-19) and Tuguegarao City (Oct 27-29), respectively.

The national PAJ, organized in 1976, is headed by Roman Floresca, former business editor of the Philippine Star. He is assisted by Noel Reyes, former director for information at the DA national office, as vice president for internal affairs; and Dr. Matilde Maunahan of UP Los Banos, as VP for external affairs.

PAJ has to date three regional chapters in Calabarzon, Bicol and Eastern Visayas. It aims to organize three more regional chapters in CARAGA, Davao and Cagayan Valley. (By Noel O. Reyes)


http://www.opinyon.com.ph/index.php/rated-18/news/climate-change/677-paj-forms-eastern-visayas-chapter-opinyon-publisher-elected-prexy

Bicol reporters take up newsroom workshop on climate change

Submitted by Vox Bikol on Mon, 08/10/2015 - 22:55

PIA

LEGAZPI CITY, Aug. 9 (PIA)–-Government communicators and members of the media in Bicol who were interested in agriculture and the science of climate change went to a workshop conducted by the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc.(PAJ), the leading group of journalists and information officers in the country who cover agriculture.

The workshop was held last July 31 and Aug. 1 at Ninong’s Hotel in this city and was attended by journalists from print, TV, radio and government information officers.

Dubbed “Climate Change: Gets Mo Na Ba?,” the event provided participants “science-based” information on climate change, agriculture, food security and human safety, the techniques in data interpretation and planning on information dissemination.

The thrust, according to PAJ president Roman F. Floresca, was to help journalists craft better and more science-based stories about the issues of climate change.

The global climate change, described by the National Aeronautics and Space Administration as the accelerated warming up of the Earth, has generated low media reportage, according to an online report of one of the workshop organizers, the Philippine-based International Rice Research Institute.

The IRR report said numerous scientists and experts around the world have expressed their concern at media discussions on climate change that “lack accurate information or are too technical for the public.”

“We aim to laymanize climate change processes and terminologies and enable journalists in the Bicol region to write, publish and broadcast better and more stories (about the matter),” said Floresca, also the business editor of Philippine Star.

The discussants underscored the impact of climate change on agriculture and food security and the critical role of journalists in enriching public understanding on the matter.

International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) communication head Tony Lambino recommended writing stories that depict the “positive, hopeful and reformist” side to the climate change because they ”can more likely lead to progress.”

Two of Lambino’s examples were rice varieties ready for climate change conditions such as drought, rising sea level, heavy floods and intense heat; and success stories of farmers who were able to propagate and gain increased yield through “climate smart farming strategies.”

“Positive and hopeful news make readers think that they can do something,” he said. “(This thinking) can prompt them to be inspired and take action.”

Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists (PNEJ) president Imelda Abaño tackled the state of climate change reportage. She expressed concern at the low media reportage on science, the communication gap between scientists and journalists, and the lack of resources of the media to report science.

 

For journalists who struggle to report climate, her advice was to understand the science of climate change, go beyond press releases, get the right news sources and report more on the human factor of climate change.

“We need more stories on gender dimension taking into account its impact on men and women, indigenous peoples, the plight of our farmers, following the money such as the people’s survival fund and champions of CCA and DRR,” she said.

By CCA and DRR, she meant climate change adaptation and disaster risk reduction.

At the workshop, the participants tried to prove their enhanced skills in climate change news reporting by crafting articles regarding the higlights of the event.

Some of the participants even shared their personal insights and observations and offered measures to implement climate-related initiatives, programs and advocacies.  

The event was supported by Department of Agriculture, Metro Pacific Investments Corp., Smart Communications, Philex Mining Corp., CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security in Southeast Asia, World Agroforestry Center and IRRI. 

(EAD/SAA/PIA5/Albay)   

- See more at: http://www.voxbikol.com/article/20150810/bicol-reporters-take-newsroom-workshop-climate-change#sthash.3pOJFMsQ.eMEFBaIR.dpuf

Build up resiliency to climate change – DA

 

August 6, 2015 9:49 pm 

by JAMES KONSTANTIN GALVEZ, REPORTER

Infra investment faces risk from disasters

Every year, the Philippines loses billions of pesos worth of public investment in infrastructure and, more importantly, human lives due to extreme weather patterns brought about by climate change.

At a workshop for journalists called “Climate Change: Gets Mo Na Ba?” held in Legazpi City, Albay, Agriculture Undersecretary Segfredo Serrano said that developing countries, including the Philippines, which have contributed the least to greenhouse gas emissions, are the most vulnerable to climate change.

“From the development perspective, climate change is the game changer, as all our efforts and investments will be obliterated if we don’t give attention to doing our jobs and living a life with resiliency to climate change,” Serrano said.

Serrano said the DA is for meaningful adaptation, not mitigation, citing the need to review scientific and technical work program to provide the basis for new agriculture and fishery infrastructure designs, standards and specifications, and climate change resilient technologies, while pursuing agricultural and fishery developmental programs.

“We cannot have climate change adaptation program without integrating and harmonizing it with disaster risk reduction program,” he added.

Serrano represented Agriculture Secretary Proceso Alcala during the two-day workshop attended by over 70 tri-media journalists, which was sponsored by the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. (PAJ) in partnership with the DA Bicol regional field office, Metro Pacific Investments Corporation (MPIC), Philex Mining Corp., and Smart Communications.

The Legazpi workshop was the first of four PAJ regional workshops aimed at “laymanizing” terminologies and processes to enable journalists to understand climate change and thus write and broadcast more interesting stories for the appreciation of the general public.
The succeeding workshops will be conducted in Tacloban (August 27-29), Siargao (September 17-19), and Tuguegarao (October 27-29). They are also co-sponsored by the CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security Regional Program for Southeast Asia (CCAFS-SEA), International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), and World Agroforestry Center (ICRAF).

Serving as workshop partners are the Philippine Network of Environmental Journalists, Inc. (PNEJ), Philippine Science Journalists, Inc. (PSciJourn) and Philippine Federation of Rural Broadcasters (PFRB).

For his part, former Press Secretary Mike Toledo commended the PAJ workshop, saying, “There is this proper need to share the responsibility of writing and publishing, and broadcasting better and more stories on climate change to inform, educate, and change the mindset of a given populace.”

Toledo represented Manuel Pangilinan, chairman of the MVP group of companies which include MPIC, Philex and Smart, co-sponsor of the climate change workshops.
He said MVP appreciates the threat posed by climate change and thus their group has been implementing respective programs and initiatives to mitigate and adapt to the changing climate.

Toledo said a flagship program of Metro Pacific is “Shore it up!” —a nationwide effort to protect mangroves that serve as habitat for rich marine life. Maynilad is conducting interactive educational drives on water safety and conservation in public elementary schools Manila and Muntinlupa, whilePhilex Mining Corp. continues to undertake massive reforestation program not just in compliance with government requirements but as part of its corporate social responsibility to its host communities.

PLDT-SMART, he added, has its ‘Kabalikat ng Kalikasan’ programs like ‘Smartrees,’ green cell sites, green merchandising and the Marikina watershed initiative, while Meralco has launched an ‘Energy Leadership Award’ to honor energy-efficient and sustainable eco-friendly schools in partnership with the Department of the Environment and Natural Resources.

He said the MVP group has partnered with the Philippine Disaster Recovery Foundation and is an active member of the Corporate Network for Disaster Response, conducting response and relief work through its ‘Tulong Kapatid’ collective program.
He noted that when natural calamities such as earthquakes and typhoons strike, the Philex rescue team is one of the first on ‘ground zero’ to conduct search-and-rescue and retrieval operations.

 http://www.manilatimes.net/build-up-resiliency-to-climate-change-da/207106/

AgricultureDepartment Bicol  

August 3, 2015

Local media deepen knowledge and insight on climate change in PAJ seminar 

LEGASPI CITY - Over 70 journalists from the tri-media gather here for the seminar-workshop entitled: “Climate Change: Gets Mo na Ba?” conducted by the Philippine Agricultural Journalists, Inc. in partnership with the Department of Agriculture (DA) Bicol; Metro Pacific Investment Corporations and MVP Group of Companies and other sponsors.

     

A battery of speakers and resource persons composed of luminaries from the media and scientific community at the national and local level shared their knowledge,experiences and insights on the topic during the 2-day gathering held in one of the hotels in this city on July 31 to August 1, 2015.

                

 DA Undersecretary for Policy and Planning Segfredo Serrano, who represented Secretary Proceso J. Alcala emphasized that developing countries including the Philippines, which have contributed least to greenhouse gas emission are most vulnerable to climate change. He says that every year we lose millions in agriculture due to extreme events. He added, that from the development perspective “climate change is the game changer, as all our efforts and investments will be obliterated if we don’t give attention to doing our jobs and living a life with resiliency to climate change.” He stated that the DA is for meaningful adaptation not mitigation, citing the need to review scientific and technical work program to provide the basis for new design, standards, specifications and technologies consistent with resiliency while pursuing developmental program. He also underscored that “You cannot have climate change adaptation program without integrating it and harmonizing it with Disaster Risk Reduction Program.”


 
Meanwhile, Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of the Metro Pacific Investments Corp. was represented by Atty. Mike Toledo, Media Bureau Chief and SVP of Philex, Mining Corporation. He stressed that the duty to inform, educate and change mindset of the people about the dangers and threat of climate is a shared responsibility not only of the government, the concerned institutions and the media but also of the private sector. He affirmed that climate change is already here and upon us and it must be addressed. He cited that the MVP group of companies is at the forefront of disaster response, relief and rehabilitation.

 
The other speakers who shared their wisdom and expertise were: Dr. Leo Sebastian, Program leader, Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security – for South East Asia; Atty. Rodel Batocabe, AKO Bicol Party list representative and chair of the Congressional Committee on Climate change; Amy Cruz, of World Agro Forestry Center and Senior research fellow of Manila Observatory; Dr. Rosa Perez, consultant, Asian Development Bank; Dr. Eliseo Ponce, DA consultant on Climate Change Program; Louie Tabing, President, Phil. Federation of Rural Broadcasters and host of DZMM program Sa Kabukiran; Angelo Palmones, president, Philippine Science Journalists and DZRH VP for News; Imelda Abaño, president, Phil. Network of Environmental Journalists, Inc. and Tony Lambino, IRRI head of Communication. The local experts/ resource persons were: Eng. Abelardo R. Bragas, DA Bicol regional executive Director, Dr. Cedric Daep, department head, Albay Public Safety and Emergency Management Office; Eng. Ariel Zamudio of PAGASA Legaspi City; Lorenzo Alvina, DA Regional Focal Person on CCA & DRRM who represented Regional Technical Director Dr. Elena B. de los Santos and Prof. Florito Dapeña who represented Dir. Bernardo Rafaelito Alejandro IV of Office of the Civil defense. Also present during the workshop were the national officers of the PAJ led by its two vice presidents, Noel Reyes and Dr. Matilde Maunahan and some of the board of directors. Bicol PIA regional Director Aida Naz was also present during the duration of the activity.


On the second day the participants went on a field tour to some of the local projects meant to address climate change such as the sanitary landfill in Banquerohan, in Legaspi City; the permanent evacuation center in Camalig, Albay, the Agro-Ethno Village in Daraga, Albay and the Cagsawa Ruins. The seminar was capped by discussions and sharing of ideas of what stories to write about climate change based on the insights, added knowledge and added experience the participants gained.

As a positive response to the call for a more cohesive, responsive and active involvement by the local media in climate change and disaster risk reduction efforts, the participants decided to organize a Bicol PAJ chapter. It was agreed that the mainstream media will be at the frontline of this organization with government agencies providing support. The elected officers are: Juan Escandor, Jr., correspondent, Bicol Mail and Phil. Daily Inquirer - president; Mar Arguelles, correspondent, Phil. Daily Inquirer- vice president; Marlon Loterte, PIA, Albay - secretary; Rhaydz Barcia, correspondent, The Manila Times and Edwin Peralta- treasurer; Ping Peralta, Editor, BU Extension News – auditor; Ana-Liza Macatangay, PIA, Cam. Sur- PRO for print; Jose Caretero, Reporter , ABS-CBN – PRO for TV; Grace Inocentes, RMN-DWNX – PRO for broadcast. The Board of Directors are: Emily B. Bordado of DA; Salvador Cruzana, CBSUA; Nonie Enolva, BFAR; Frank Peñones, editor, Bikol Reporter and Nancy Mediavillo of Radyo ng Bayan .

(Emily B. Bordado)

Atty. Mike Toledo represented Mr. Manuel V. Pangilinan, chairman of MVP group of companies, of which MPIC, Philex and Smart have co-sponsored the PAJ #ClimateChange workshop for journalists.