17 May 2006  - Philippine Ambassador to France and Permanent Delegate to the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Jose Abeto Zaide reported to the Department of Foreign Affairs that UNESCO Director-General Koichiro Matsuura has approved the release of $50,000 in emergency assistance as the international organization's contribution to the international relief and rehabilitation efforts following the 17 February 2006 landslide disaster in Guinsaugon, Southern Leyte.

Ambassador Zaide said this amount will partly fund the project entitled e-Communication Services Health Emergency Management System in Eastern Visayas, which was prepared by the Department of Health in coordination with the UNESCO National Commission of the Philippines.

The project seeks to create access to development information materials in various formats on health emergencies for the benefit of health workers, community members and students, with the hope of mitigating and, if possible, avoiding, similar disasters in Eastern Visayas in the future.

The Philippine Permanent Delegation to UNESCO sought to avail of UNESCO's emergency assistance program and applied for the project immediately after the Guinsaugon tragedy.

Ambassador Zaide explained that the last UNESCO General Conference approved a resolution authorizing the Director-General to provide financial assistance for UNESCO Member States affected by natural or man-made disaster emergencies.

The Ambassador added that the announcement on the UNESCO assistance anticipates the official visit of Director-General Matsuura to the Philippines 22-24 May 2006, when he will preside over the Leaders Forum of the 31st World Congress of the International Theatre Institute (ITI) in Manila. The ITI, which enjoys a strong following in the Philippines, is UNESCO's partner international NGO in the theatrical performing arts.

Ambassador Zaide reported that Director-General Matsuura had also previously approved the release of $50,000 as UNESCO's contribution to the organization of the World Congress, which will bring to the Philippines from four corners of the world hundreds of playwrights, actors and other theatre professionals including select UNESCO Goodwill Ambassadors and Artists for Peace.   The congress will discuss how the theatrical performing arts can contribute to the promotion and eventual attainment of Millennium Development Goals like the eradication of extreme poverty, the de-marginalization of disadvantaged sectors like women and children, and the achievement of Education for All, which is UNESCO's priority program.

During his visit to Manila, Ambassador Zaide said Director-General Matsuura will call on H.E. President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo and on Foreign Secretary Alberto G. Romulo. The Director-General will also have meetings with Speaker Jose de Venecia and other Cabinet secretaries, and lawmakers involved in UNESCO's fields of competence.

Acknowledging his many achievements at UNESCO and his contribution to international development cooperation as senior diplomat in the Japanese foreign ministry prior to his election to UNESCO, Director-General Matsuura will also be conferred, in traditional Latin academic ceremonies, the degree of Doctor of Laws, honoris causa, by the 395-year old University of Santo Tomas.

He will also visit the San Agustin Church in Intramuros, a historical site inscribed in the exclusive World Heritage List of UNESCO.

Director-General Matsuura made his first official visit to the Philippines in May 2002 when Manila hosted the annual celebration of World Press Freedom Day, a key UNESCO initiative that promotes freedom of the press and the protection of the rights of journalists and media professionals.

Ambassador Zaide stressed that, “This second official visit of Mr. Matsuura to the Philippines - not to mention UNESCO's technical and financial assistance to the country one after the other in the areas of education, science, culture, communication, and World Heritage preservation and promotion - is a testament to the excellent relations that have been carefully nurtured over the years between the Philippines and this major international organization.  It also attests to the hard work, initiative and networking skills of both UNACOM and the Philippine Permanent Delegation to UNESCO in Paris.” END