OISCA's 50TH Anniversary 10,000 delegates join Bacolod celebration

BACOLOD CITY, Philippines -  – Organizers are expecting about 10,000 delegates from Japan, Palau, Malaysia, Hong Kong, and various provinces around the Philippines to converge on the 50th Anniversary of OISCA (Organization for Industrial, Spiritual, and Cultural Advancement) at the Panaad Park and Stadium in Brgy. Mansilingan Bacolod City today (August 25).

The three-day celebration, which started Tuesday (August 23) also features the Negros Eco-Tourism and Food Fair of the provincial government, in collaboration with the 32 towns and cities of the province, as well as the Department of Education, Girl Scout of the Philippines, NOPSSCEA and other organizations.Much of the bulk of delegates are participants to the Youth Camp for Environment, and beneficiaries of OISCA.

Japanese Ambassador to the Philippines Toshinao Urabe, OISCA International vice president Etsuko Nakano, OISCA International secretary general Yasuaki Nagaishi, JICA senior representative Hirohito Mitsugi, Department of Tourism representative Renee Marie Reyes, and former senator Juan Miguel Zubiri will grace the anniversary program today (Thursday).

Negros Occidental Governor Alfredo Marañon Jr., president of OISCA-Philippines, said OISCA has contributed a lot to the progress and development of the country, especially in his province. “It cannot be quantified financially, it is more on human development,” he said.

OISCA Philippines has sent 1,024 trainees to Japan where they learn the Japanese culture of work and discipline, and are expected to imbibe these when they return for work here, Marañon said.

Marañon said that OISCA Philippines has contributed to the preservation of the environment by planting 3,854,105 trees in upland areas totaling 2,410 hectares and 7,196,500 mangroves in 1,272 hectares. One notable project in Negros Occidental is the silk industry at Brgy. Tabunan in Bago City that now supplies 90 percent of silk for the whole country, he said.

With the theme, “Forging Stronger Partnerships for a Sustainable World,” the celebration showcases the efforts of the provincial government and OISCA Philippines Chapter in environmental conservation, food security and agricultural productivity, among others. – (FREEMAN)