53rd ASEAN kiosk opened in CamSur

By Ana-Liza S. Macatangay PILI, Camarines Sur --- ASEAN information materials are now available to the public in general, and to the local and foreign tourists in particular, after the Camarines Sur Provincial Office of the Philippine Information Agency formally opened Friday its information kiosk at the world-renowned Camarines Sur Water Sports Complex (CWC) here. As of Friday, it was the 53rd kiosk opened by the Presidential Communications Operations Office and PIA acroass the country. Formal launch of the information kiosk was graced by CamSur 4th District Board Member Amador Simando who represented Gov. Miguel “Migz” Villafuerte and 2nd District Board Member James Jaucian, who represented Vice Governor Fortunato Peña. In a message read for him by PIA Regional Director Aida A. Naz, PIA Director General Harold Clavite underscored the importance of looking at ourselves, not just as Filipinos, but also as ASEAN citizens. He said: “Since January of this year, high ranking government officials from all 10 member-states of ASEAN have been visiting the Philippines to attend important meetings that will have an impact on how we interact with our neighboring countries. This is the reason why the PIA is actively reaching out to as many people as possible to discuss the benefits of ASEAN.” “We want everyone here in Camarines Sur to remember that we are not only citizens of the Philippines, but we are citizens of a bigger region, a bigger community – and that is the ASEAN Community,” Clavite added. Simando lauded the PIA for this worthy endeavor citing that the launching of the ASEAN-PIA information kiosk is a celebration of another milestone for the province of Camarines Sur. He added that economic growth will indeed flourish and promote political stability among the ASEAN countries. Jaucian added that there are benefits that Filipinos can get from the country’s membership in ASEAN, citing the changes that Filipinos are adopting in terms of education, like the K to 12 program, employment opportunities and protection of workers, among others. The ASEAN kiosks are part of the communication effort of President Rodrigo Duterte’s administration to raise the people’s awareness regarding the benefits that the country can enjoy as chair of this year’s ASEAN summit.