Venus Raj is spokesperson for UN program
10/18/2011
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| Venus Raj poses with mothers and children who joined the solidarity walk for Tingog 2015. |
MANILA, Philippines - Miss Universe 2010 fourth runner-up Venus Raj was chosen to be the spokesperson for "Tingog 2015," an integrated SMS and online citizen feedback initiative supported by the United Nations Millennium Campaign and Social Watch Philippines.
The program was launched in Albay province of the Bicol region on Monday, making it the first of its kind in the country and in Southeast Asia.
Raj, who grew up in Bicol, said Tingog 2015 (which means "voice" in Bicolano) will help ordinary citizens inform local government agencies when services are not delivered to them.
The feedback gathered by the technology platform will be used by the local government to ensure responsiveness in development planning.
"Sobrang laking tulong kasi sabi nga kapag simpleng pamilya ka... iisipin mo 'yung kakainin nila sa araw-araw 'yung pinapaaral, 'yung basic needs ng mga anak mo, at least kung merong ganitong proyekto, may sasalo na sa ganong pangangailangan," Raj said.
Tingog 2015 aims to achieve the Millennium Development Goals, which range from ending poverty and hunger to providing universal primary education, by 2015.
The Philippines' major telecommunications firms are working to make "2015" as the official number for sending citizen feedback.
Other countries that have launched their own version of Tingog 2015 include Kenya and India. -- With a report from Jose Carretero, ABS-CBN Albay
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