MANILA, May 18, 2012—Militant fisherfolk group, Pambansang Lakas ng Kilusang Mamamalakaya ng Pilipinas (Pamalakaya) and Save Laguna Lake Movement (SLLM) had sounded the alarm over the invasion of knifefishes in the Laguna de Bai, which endangers the livelihood of small fishermen there.

BACOLOD City, May 18, 2012—Two seminarians, fresh Ecclesiastical Graduates of Theology were admitted to the Sacred Orders in the Rites of Admission held May 2 at the Sacred Heart Shrine.

The Rites, held simultaneously with the graduation ceremonies of the Catechetical Institute, were presided over by Bacolod Bishop Vicente M. Navarra.

BACOLOD City, May 18, 2012—As magnetite mining raised fears of soil erosion and vulnerability to floods, the Diocese of Bacolod has organized a forum to create awareness among the faithful and mobilized them in the ongoing black sand mining in the province.

Around 100 participants attended the forum organized by the Ecology Desk of the Diocese of Bacolod’s Social Action Center, May 5.

QUEZON City, May 17, 2012—Department of Education’s (DepEd) K-12 program won’t solve the existing problems in the basic public education system in the country such as shortages in rooms, educational materials, and other facilities and equipment; underfunding; the orientation of the education system itself; and access.

ROME, May 17, 2012—The Holy Father conveyed his appreciation to the participants of recently concluded general assembly of the Pontifical Mission Societies as he met and greeted the 120 PMS national directors in an audience, May 11.

ROME, May 17, 2012—Around 120 national directors of Pontifical Mission Societies all over the world gathered for an international meeting in Rome to discuss present and future missionary works around the globe.