CEGP convenes campus press for NSPC 2014

MANILA, Philippines – College Editors Guild of the Philippines (CEGP), on May 19, launched the 74th National Student Press Convention (NSPC) and 37th Biennial Student Press Congress in Davao City, gathering campus journalists from across the country and emphasizing their role in pushing for genuine press freedom and social change.

CEGP, the oldest and widest alliance of campus publications in Asia-Pacific region, kicked off the annual NSPC, donning the theme “Dasig Manunuwat: Uniting Campus Journalists for Genuine Press Freedom and Social Change.”

The group started a five-day seminar-workshop on journalism, socio-political issues, and arts and literature inviting former Kabataan Partylist Representative Raymond ‘Mong’ Palatino among its roster of luminary guest speakers for the convention.

Palatino said the role of the campus press in revealing and criticizing deterrent policies to the people is highly crucial to the realization of genuine social change. He said campus journalists play a big role in shaping the mind of the youth, and effecting development.

“The campus press’ essential role in exposing and critically tackling socio-political issues that affect the masses is highly commendable in the spirit of striving for genuine social change,” Palatino said.

For the keynote address, a message from the City Government of Davao was also delivered by Councilor Leah Acosta’s daughter, Luna Acosta.

“Building an empowered society involves engaging the youth in today’s most critical issues, and training them to effectively report, give an account of and make public its accompanying circumstances,” City Mayor Rodrigo Duterte’s message as read by Acosta.

Also featured in the Solidarity Night of the event was a cultural performance of Talaingod Manobo students from Salugpongan Ta Tanu Igkanugon Community Learning Center in Talaingod, Davao del Norte who recently evacuated with their families to Davao City due to the massive deployment of military personnel to their communities resulting to various violations to the rights of the Manobos.

“This yearly gathering of campus journalists from different colleges and universities in the Philippines is a good venue to hone their skills in journalism and to update their knowledge on various issues affecting the youth and the Philippine society,” said Marc Lino Abila, CEGP National Secretary General and NSPC Organizing Committee Head. “The Guild continues to hold high its principles by gathering and attracting more student publications in joining its advocacy for genuine press freedom and social change.”

Aside from forums and workshops, this year’s NSPC will include the convening of the National Student Press Congress, the highest policy-making body of CEGP and elect the new officers of the National Executive Committee.