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| Karagdagang bunkhouses, matatapos bago magpasko, ayon sa DPWH |
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(PALO, Leyte) May 159 pang bunkhouses units sa mga lalawigan ng Leyte at Silangang Samar ang mayayari bago sumapit ang Pasko, ayon sa ulat sa Pangulong Beningo S. Aquino III ni Kalihim Rogelio Singson ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan.
Ang magandang balitang ito ay ipinaalam ni Kalihim Singson nang gawin ang ceremonial turn-over ng dalawang bunkhouse units para sa 48 pamilyang nawalan ng tahanan sa Regional Government Center sa Baranggay Candahug dito Linggo.
Sinabi ni Singson sa Pangulo na 159 bunkhouses na ang naipamahagi sa 3,816 pamilyang ang mga tahanan ay winasak ng napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda noong Nobyembre 8.
Ang mga bunkhouses units na ito ay pansamantalang tutuluyan ng mga pamilya sa Gitnang Pilipinas na nawasak ang mga tahanan dahil sa napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda.
“G. Pangulo, nakikita po naman ninyo ang mga ginawa na ng Kagawaran ng Pagawaing Bayan at Pambansang Lansangan. Hanggang ngayon po ay narito pa ang mga tauhan ng DPWH buhat sa iba-ibang rehiyon na dinala namin sa Leyte at Samar para lamang makatulong sa paglilinis at pagtatayo ng bunkhouses,” wika ni Singson.
Ayon kay Singson, kasalukuyang itinatayo na ng mga tauhan ng DPWH ang mga bunkhouse units sa Government Center sa mga Baranggay Candahug at Takuranga.
Yari na ang kabuuang 19 bunkhouses units sa Palo at mayayari naman bago sumapit ang Pasko ang mga ginagawa pang siyam na karagdagang bunkhouses units.
Bumalik ang Pangulong Aquino Linggo sa mga pook na malubhang sinalanta ni Yolanda upang ispeksiyunin ang mga ginagawa pang bunkhouse units at ipamahagi naman ang mga yari na sa mga pamilyang biktima ng Yolanda. PND (js/zaf) |
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| Nangako ang Pangulong Aquino na sisikaping itayo ang higit na magandang kinabukasan ng mga pamilyang biktima ng bagyong Yolanda |
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(PALO, Leyte) Patuloy ang puspusang pakikibalikat ng pamahalaan sa mga international partners, mga lokal na non-government organizations at iba-ibang stakeholders upang maipagtayo sila ng isang higit na magandang kinabukasan, ayon sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino.
Binigyang diin ito ng Pangulong Aquino sa mensahe niya sa turn-over ceremonies ng bunkhouse units sa Regional Government Center sa Baranggay Candahug dito Linggo.
Idinugtong ng Pangulo na pinag-iibayo pa ng pamahalaan ang pagsisikap upang matulungan ang mahigit na apat na milyon kataong biktima ng napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda na makaahon sa matinding kalamidad at katuwang dito ang mga pandaigdig na kabalikat.
“Mahigit nang isang buwan mula nang huli tayong magkita rito sa Palo at talagang marami nang positibong pagbabago. Hindi lamang ito makikita sa higit na maayos nang kapaligiran at nakumpuni nang mga imprastraktura, kundi maging sa mga mukha at kilos ng ating mga kababayang Palonon,” sabi pa ng Pangulong Aquino.
Pinapurihan ng Pangulo ang mga kababayan natin sa pagpapakita ng tatag at tibay ng paninindigan sa gitna ng matinding pagkawasak ng kanilang mga pook.
“Gaano man katindi ang pagsubok at pinsalang idinulot ng bagyong Yolanda sa inyong munisipalidad, bakas na ang panunumbalik ng inyong sigla at kumpiyansa,” dagdag pa ng Pangulo
“Mula nga po sa madilim na yugto ng ating pinagdaanan nitong nakalipas na buwan hanggang sama-sama nating tugunan ang mga hamon, nabuo ang matibay nating samahan,” sabi pa ng Pangulo.
Ipinangako ng Pangulo na hindi lamang ang pag-aayos sa winasak ng kalamidad na mga pook ang gagawin ng pamahalaan, kundi titiyakin pang matibay ang mga ititindig na mga istraktura.
Disyembre 18 nang simulan ang Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY), ukol sa pagpapanibagong tatag ng ekonomya at kalagayang panlipunan ng mga napinsalang mga pook sa pamamagitan ng pagtatayo nang higit na matitibay na mga tahanan at imprastraktura.
Sa ilalim ng panukalang RAY ay kasama ang pabahay, mga imprastraktura at pasilidad, pagkakataon sa hanapbuhay, tulong na pangkabuhayan, lalo na sa mga manggagawa sa larangan ng pagsasaka at sektor ng serbisyo, gayundin ang suporta sa mga bagay na panlipunan at pangkapagiliran. PND (js/zaf) |
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| Maging tanglaw tayo ng pag-asa ng mga kababayan natin, panawagan ng Pangulong Aquino sa sambayanang Pilipino ngayong Pasko |
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“Maging tanglaw nawa tayo ng pag-asa ng ating kapuwa Pilipino.” ito ang panawagan ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III sa Pamaskong Bati sa sambayanang Pilipino sa taong ito.
Hiniling ng Pangulo sa mga Pilipino na ipamalas ang liwanag at pag-asa ni Kristo, lalo na sa liwanag ng mga kadaraang kalamidad na sumubok sa tatag at paninindigan ng bansa na dapat magpagunita sa lahat kung gaano kamahal ng Diyos ang daigdig.
“Ngayong Pasko, pag-alabin nawa natin ang liwanag ng pagmamahal na alay ni Hesukristo. Maging tanglaw tayo ng pag-asa sa ating kapuwa Pilipino,” sabi pa ng Pangulo.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na ipinamalas ng mga Pilipino ngayong taong ito na maaari silang magsilbing ispirasyon ng kapuwa sa pamamagitan ng ginagawa nilang pagsisikap na maka-ahon sa mabibigat na pagsubok at trahedyang pinagdaanan kamakailan.
Noong nakaraang Setyembre, tinangka ng mga tagasunod ni chairman Nur Misuari, tagapag-tatag ng Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), na sakupin ang ilang baranggay ng Lungsod ng Zamboanga nguni’t sila ay nabigo.
Oktubre naman nang yanigin at wasakin ng 7.2 lakas ng lindol ang Gitnang Kabisayaan, samantalang Nobyembre naman nang wasakin ng napakalakas na bagyong Yolanda ang Silangang Kabisayaan at ang Timog Luzon.
“Katulad ng Bituin ng Betlehem na nagsilbing liwanag at ispirasyon ng Tatlong Hari, napuno rin tayo ng sigla at pag-asa sa katatagan ng ating mga kababayan sa kabila ng trahedyang kanilang naranasan,” dugtong ng Pangulo.
Binigyang diin ng Pangulo na naipamalas ng mga taga–Bohol sa kapuwa Pilipino ang tibay ng loob sa gitna ng malakas na lindol at kung ano ang maaaring mangyari.
“Marahil nga po, ito ay isa sa pinakamahalagang aral sa atin ng Poong Maykapal, gawin lamang natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya at ang Diyos Ama na ang magpupuno sa ating mga kakulangan,” dagdag ng Pangulo.
Samantala, binanggit ng Pangulo na naipakita rin ng mga Pilipino na maaari silang magkaisa kahit libu-libong milya ang layo nila sa isa’t isa.
Sinabi ng Pangulo na nararamdaman niya na mahirap para sa maraming Pilipino na nasa ibayong dagat ang magdiwang ng Pasko na malayo sa kanilang mga minamahal.
“Sa kabila nito, iisang lahi pa rin tayong nagdiriwang tuwing Pasko. Saan mang panig ng mundo tayo naroon, iisang pamilya pa rin tayong mga Pilipino,” sabi ng Pangulong Aquino.
“Malinaw natin itong naipamalas sa mga nagdaang trahedya at pagsubok sa bansa,” dugtong ng Pangulong Aquino sa pagbati sa samhayanan kaugnay ng Pasko ng 2013. PND (jl/zaf) |
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| Tuloy ang trabaho ng Pangulong Aquino kahit pista opisyal—Malacanang |
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Ipagpapatuloy ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III ang pagtatrabaho sa buong panahon ng pista opisyal, bagaman maaaring isang araw siyang mamahinga ngayong linggong ito.
Niliwanag ito ng Tagapagsalita ng Pangulo Edwin Lacierda sa pulong-balitaan sa Malacanang Lunes at idinagdag na patuloy na nakatuon ang pansin ng Pangulo sa rehabilitasyon ng mga pook na sinalanta ng napakalakas na bagyong “Yolanda”.
“Patuloy ang Pangulo sa pagtatrabaho. Palagay ko ay lalong maraming trabaho siyang pinagkaka-abalahanan dahil pinagtutuunan niya ng pansin ang rehabilitasyon ng mga pook na sinalanta ng bagyong Yolanda. Ilang ulit na kaming nagpulong tungkol sa bagay na iyan,” wika pa ni Lacierda.
Noong Linggo lamang, dinalaw uli ng Pangulong Aquino ang mga pook na sinalanta ng bagyong Yolanda, kabilang na ang Silangang Kabisayaan.
Nagsadya rin ang Pangulong Aquino sa Compostela Valley na pininsala ng bagyong Pablo noong isang taon at sa mga mamamayan ng Lungsod ng Zamboanga na naapektuhan ng sagupaan ng mga kawal ng pamahalaan at ng Moro National Liberation Front na mga taga-sunod ni chairman Nur Misuari noong Setyembre.
Ayon kay Lacierda, maaaring magpahinga ang Pangulo sa dakong ika-27, datapuwa’t pagkatapos ay patuloy na niyang haharapin ang mga bagay na dapat gawin. PND (jl/zaf) |
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| Nagbigay-galang sa Pangulong Aquino ang paalis na Embahador ng Tsina |
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Nagpaalam sa Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III Lunes ang paalis nang si Embahador Ma Keqing ng Tsina.
Si Ma na magtatapos na ng kanyang tour of duty ay sinamahan ng mga pinuno ng embahada ng Tsina sa Maynila sa pangunguna ni Sun Xianyang, deputy chief of mission at Wu Zheng Ping, political counsellor.
Sa panig ng Pilipinas ay dumalo naman sina Kalihim Albert del Rosario ng Ugnayang Panlabas, Undersecretary Laura del Rosario at Katulong na Kalihim Ma. Theresa Lazaro.
Sa panahon ng pagiging Embahador sa Pilipinas, nakatulong si Ma para manatili ang magandang samahan ng dalawang bansa. PND (jl/zaf) |
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| Magpapasigla ng turismo at kalakalan sa gitna at Hilagang Luzon ang binuksang 'Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway'—Aquino |
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Ang pagtapos ng bagong Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway o TPLEX ay makatutulong para lalong sumigla ang kalakalan at turismo sa mga lalawigan ng Gitna at Hilagang Luzon, sabi ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III.
Pinasinayaan ng Pangulong Aquino nitong Lunes ang Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui Section ng TPLEX Project na ginagawa sa ilalim ng Build-Operate-Transfer program at isang grupo na pawang Pilipino ang may-ari.
Sinabi ng Pangulo sa pasinaya ng bahagi ng expressway ng Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui Section na ang lansangang ito ay magiging daan ng higit na mabilis, higit na ligtas at maginhawang pagbibiyahe ng mga tao.
“Ang pagbubukas na ito ay maaga at talaga namang maagang aginaldo sa libu-libo nating kababayan, lalo na para sa mga minamahal kong kapuwa Tarlakenyo. Hatid nito ang ginhawa sa biyahe, hindi lamang ngayong Pasko, kundi maging sa darating pang mga taon,” sabi ng Pangulo sa mensahe kaugnay ng pasinaya.
“Walang duda na ang Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui section ng Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway o TPLEX project ay patunay sa mabuting ibinubunga ng pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan at ng pribadong sektor sa paghahatid ng serbisyo sa ating mamamayan,” sabi pa niya..
Pakay ng San Miguel Corporation, sa pamamagitan ng subsidiary nito na Private Infrastructure Development Corporation o PIDC, na tapusin sa 2015 ang buong TPLEX o tatlong taon na maaga kaysa sa orihinal na pagkayari nito na Taong 2018.
Kapag nayari ang 88.85 kilometrong expressway ay babagtas ito sa 17 bayan at dalawang lungsod—Tarlac at Urdaneta—at daraan sa apat na lalawigan -- Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union at Nueva Ecija.
Ang kabuuang haba ng TPLEX na nadaraanan na ngayon ay 23 kilometro dahil nabuksan na ang Paniqui exit. Noong Oktubre, binuksan na ang Phase 1A buhat sa Lungsod ng Tarlak hanggang sa Victoria at ngayon ay hanggang sa Gerona.
“Oktubre pa lamang, umarangkada na ang mga benepisyong dulot ng pagbubukas natin ng bahagi ng TPLEX, ngayon, 20 minuto na lamang ang biyahe na dati-rating umaabot ng isang oras mula sa Lungsod ng Taoracay hanggang sa Gerona,” dagdag ng Pangulo.
“Para sa 8,000 motorista araw-araw na nakikinabang sa hatid nitong higit na mabilis at maginhawang paglalakbay, talagang napakagandang proyekto nito. Sa pagbubukas ng bahaging ito ng TPLEX hanggang Paniqui, 30 minuto na lamang ang dating isang oras at sampung minutong biyahe mula sa Lungsod ng Tarlac at iyon po ay kung walang trapik,” wika ni Aquino.
Ang 27 kilometrong mula sa Paniqui hanggang Moncada sa Tarlac, noon buhat sa Carmen papunta sa Pangasinan, ay kasalukuyan nang ginagawa at inaasahang matatapos sa darating na Abril. Ang nalalabing 25.83 kilometrong buhat sa Lungsod ng Urdaneta hanggang sa Rosario, La Union, ay inaasahang mayayari naman sa 2015.
Sinabi ng Pangulo na sa sandaling mayari ang Seksiyon 1 ng TPLEX sa isang taon, buhat sa Lungsod ng Tarlac hanggang Rosales, Pangasinan, ay 30 minutong biyahe na lamang. Ang buong TPLEX buhat sa Tarlac hanggang La Union ay aabutin lamang ng isang oras na biyahe.
“Talagang biyaya po ito sa humigit-kumulang na 20,000 mga biyaherong daraan dito araw-araw. At sa pagbilis ng trasportasyon sa Tarlak, lalong sisigla ang turismo, ang kalakalan at ang mga serbisyo sa ating bayan at mga karatig-probinsiya. Ang resulta ay ang paglago ng ating lokal na ekonomya na magbubukas ng maraming pinto ng pagkakataon para sa ating mga kababayan,” pagbibigay-diin ng Pangulo. PND (co/zaf) |
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| Nagbigay-galang sa Pangulong Aquino ang Miss International na Pilipina-Canadian |
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Pagkaraang sabihin ng Pangulong Benigno S. Aquino III na good luck nang magktia sila sa pagtitipon ng mga Pilipino sa Hapon ngayong buwang ito, Lunes ay binati naman niya ang nagkamit ng karangalan bilang Miss International, ang Pilipina-Canadian na si Bea Rose Santiago na nagbigay-galang sa kanya sa Palasyo ng Malacanang. Tinanghal bilang Binibining Pilipinas sa taong ito si Bea Santiago.
Dumating si Santiago sa Music Room ng Malacanang, kasama si Stella Marquez-Araneta, ang kauna-unahang naging Miss International noong 1960, at si Cecille Marvilla.
“Congratulations!” sabi ng Pangulo habang kinakamayan ang dalaga.
Noong Disyembre 12, binati ng Pangulo at sinabing “good luck” sa Binibining Pilipinas nang magkita sila sa isang pagtitipon ng mga Pilipino kaugnay ng pagdalo niya sa ASEAN-Japan Commemorative Summit sa Tokyo.
Si Santiago ang nagwagi sa timpalak-kagandahan noong Disyembre 17, limang araw pagka-tapos niyang makilala ang Pangulong Aquino.
Noong linggo lamang siya umuwi sa Pilipinas pagkatapos makamit ang karangalang “Miss International.”
Bago nagbigay-galang sa Pangulo sa Malacanang, masayang pinagbigyan ng dalaga ang pakiusap ng mga kawani na magpakuha ng larawan na kasama siya. PND (jl/zaf) |
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| 23 DECEMBER 2013. |  |
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| More bunkhouse units to be completed before Christmas, reports DPWH |
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(PALO, Leyte) Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson reported to President Benigno S. Aquino III that 159 bunkhouse units in the provinces of Leyte and Eastern Samar will be completed before Christmas.
During the ceremonial turn-over of two bunkhouse units for 48 displaced families at the Regional Government Center, Barangay Candahug here, Singson reported on Sunday to the Chief Executive that 159 bunkhouse units will be turned over to 3,816 families who were displaced by super-typhoon "Yolanda" (internationally known as Haiyan).
The bunkhouse units will be used as the temporary shelter of the families displaced by Yolanda which devastated central Philippines on November 8.
"Mr. President, nakikita niyo naman iyong mga ginawa na ng DPWH (Department of Public Works and Highway), hanggang ngayon po at narito pa ang mga DPWH (personnel) coming from several regions that we brought to Leyte and Samar para lang makatulong sa paglilinis at pagtatayo ng bunkhouses," Singson said.
Singson said the DPWH is now working on the construction of bunkhouse units at the Government Center in Brgy. Candahug and Brgy. Takuranga.
He said a total of 19 bunkhouse units in Palo have already been completed while nine more bunkhouse units would be finished before Christmas.
Aquino visited anew the calamity-stricken city to inspect and turn-over bunkhouses to residents last Sunday. PND (js) |
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| President Aquino vows to build better future for typhoon 'Yolanda'-affected families |
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(PALO, Leyte) President Benigno S. Aquino III said on Sunday the government remains committed to work together with international partners, local non-government organizations and various stakeholders to build a better future for the families affected by super typhoon "Yolanda" and other calamities.
In his message during the inspection and turn-over of bunkhouse units ceremony at the Regional Government Center, Candahug, Palo in Leyte, the Chief Executive said the government is accelerating efforts aimed at helping the typhoon-ravaged provinces recover from the calamity.
The government, working in close cooperation with international partners, rapidly mounted an unprecedented humanitarian response to deliver relief assistance to more than 4 million people displaced by the typhoon.
"Mahigit isang buwan na nga mula ng huli tayong magkita dito sa Palo at talagang marami nang positibong pagpababago. Hindi lang eto makikita sa mas maayos na kapaligiran at sa nakumpuni na mga infrastraktura kundi maging sa mga mukha at kilos ng mga kababayan nating Palonon," President Aquino said.
The President commended his constituents for displaying resilience and strength in the aftermath of "Yolanda."
"Gaano man katindi ang pagsubok at pinsalang dinulot ang bagyong Yolanda sa inyong munisipilidad, bakas na ang bumabalik niyong sigla at kumpyansa," he said.
"Mula nga po sa madilim na yugto na ating pinagdaanan itong nakalipas na buwan hanggang sama-sama nating pagtugon sa mga hamon, nabuo ang matibay nating samahan," the President said.
The President vowed the government would not only rebuild calamity-ravaged areas, but make new structures that are more disaster resilient.
On December 18, the Reconstruction Assistance on Yolanda (RAY) was launched to restore the economic and social conditions of the affected areas "at the very least to their pre-typhoon levels and to a higher level of disaster resilience."
The RAY strategic plan includes housing, infrastructure, facilities and utilities; employment opportunities; assistance with livelihood, especially with vulnerable workers in the agriculture and service sectors; and support for cross-cutting social and environmental objectives. PND (js) |
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| Show light and hope of Christ, President Aquino urges Filipinos in Christmas message |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday urged Filipinos to show the light and hope of Christ, especially in the wake of recent calamities that tested the nation this year.
In his Christmas message, the President said this year's Christmas should be a reminder of how God so loved the world.
"Ngayong Pasko, pag-alabin nawa natin ang liwanag ng pagmamahal na alay ni Hesukristo. Maging tanglaw tayo ng pagasa sa ating kapwa Pilipino (This Christmas, let us keep alive the flame of Christ's love. Let us serve as a source of hope for our fellow Filipinos)," he said.
President Aquino said Filipinos had shown this year they can serve as an inspiration to others, through their efforts to recover from great tragedies.
Last September, followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari tried to occupy parts of Zamboanga City and were eventually repulsed.
In October, a magnitude-7.2 quake devastated Central Visayas, while Super Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan) battered Visayas and Southern Luzon last November.
"Katulad ng Bituin ng Bethlehem na nagsilbing liwanag at ispirasyon sa tatlong hari, napuno rin tayo ng sigla at pagasa sa katatagan ng ating mga kababayan, sa kabila ng trahedyang kanilang naranasan (Like the Star of Bethlehem that served as an inspiration for the Three Kings, our fellow Filipinos affected by recent tragedies gave us inspiration and hope)," the President said.
He said that in the case of residents of Bohol after last October's quake, they showed fellow Filipinos what is possible.
"Marahil ito po ang isa sa pinakamahalagang aral sa atin ng Poong Maykapal. Gawin lamang natin ang lahat ng ating makakaya at ang Diyos Ama na ang pupuno sa ating mga kakulangan (This is one of the most important lessons from God. Do your best, God will do the rest)," he said.
Meanwhile, the President said Filipinos have also shown they could be united, even if they are thousands of miles away.
He said he acknowledges this is a difficult time for many overseas Filipinos who have to spend Christmas away from their loved ones.
"Sa kabila nito, iisang lahi pa rin tayong nagdiriwang tuwing Pasko, saan man tayo sa mundo, iisang pamilya pa rin tayong mga Pilipino (Despite this, we celebrate Christmas as one people, regardless of where we are)," he said.
"Malinaw natin itong naipamalas sa mga nagdaang trahedya at pagsubok sa bansa (We have time and again shown this especially in the wake of tragedies)," he added. PND (jl) |
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| Palace: President Aquino will continue to work through holidays |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III will continue to work through the holidays though he may take a one-day break this weekend, Malacañang said Monday.
In a media briefing, presidential spokesman Edwin Lacierda said President Aquino remains focused on issues like the rehabilitation for areas hit by Typhoon "Yolanda" (Haiyan).
"The President will continue to work. I think the President has been going through a lot of work and ... his concern has been focused on the Yolanda rehabilitation. We have had several meetings with respect to that," he said.
Only last Sunday, President Aquino had visited calamity-hit areas, including areas in Eastern Visayas hit by Yolanda.
The President also visited residents of Compostela Valley hit by Typhoon Pablo last year, and residents in Zamboanga City affected by fighting between government troops and the followers of Moro National Liberation Front founding chairman Nur Misuari last September.
Lacierda said the President may take a break "sometime on the 27th" but will continue working after that. PND (jl) |
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| Chinese envoy pays farewell call on President Aquino |
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Outgoing Chinese ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing on Monday paid her farewell call on President Benigno S. Aquino III.
Ma, who is ending her tour of duty, was accompanied by officials of the Chinese embassy in Manila.
With her were deputy chief of.mission Sun Xianyang and political counselor Wu Zheng Ping.
On the Philippine side were Foreign Affairs Secretary Albert del Rosario, undersecretary Laura del Rosario and assistant secretary Ma. Theresa Lazaro.
During her stint in the Philippines, Ma helped maintain multilateral ties between the two countries. PND (jl) |
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| President Aquino optimistic about Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway |
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President Benigno S. Aquino III said Monday the completion of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway or TPLEX will help boost trade and tourism in central and northern Luzon provinces.
President Aquino led on Monday the inauguration of the Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui Section of the TPLEX Project, which is under a Build-Operate-Transfer (BOT) program being undertaken by an all-Filipino consortium.
During his speech, the President said that the opening of the Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui Section of the expressway would provide faster, safer, and convenient travel for motorists.
“Ang pagbubukas na ito ay maagang, at talaga namang maagang, aguinaldo sa libu-libo nating kababayan, lalo na para sa mga minamahal kong kapwa Tarlaqueño. Hatid nito ang ginhawa sa biyahe, hindi lang ngayong Pasko, kundi maging sa darating pang mga taon,” he said.
“Walang duda: Ang Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui section ng Tarlac-Pangasinan-La Union Expressway o TPLEX project ay patunay sa mabuting ibinubunga ng pagtutulungan ng pamahalaan at ng pribadong sektor sa paghahatid ng serbisyo sa ating mamamayan,” he further said.
San Miguel Corporation, through its subsidiary Private Infrastructure Development Corporation or PIDC, is eyeing the completion of the entire length of TPLEX by 2015, three years ahead of the original 2018 target.
Once completed, the 88.85-kilometer expressway, from end-to-end, will traverse 17 towns and two cities—Tarlac and Urdaneta City—across four provinces: Tarlac, Pangasinan, La Union and Nueva Ecija.
The total length of the TPLEX that is currently operational is 23 kilometers with the opening of the Paniqui exit. Last October, PDIC opened for public the project’s 17-kilometer Phase 1A from Tarlac City to Victoria, then to Gerona.
“Oktubre pa lang, umarangkada na ang mga benepisyong dulot ng pagbubukas natin ng bahagi ng TPLEX. Ngayon, 20 minuto na lang ang biyahe na inaabot dati ng isang oras mula Tarlac City hanggang Gerona,” President Aquino said.
“Para sa 8,000 motorista kada araw na nakikinabang sa hatid nitong mas mabilis at maaliwalas na paglalakbay, talagang napakagandang proyekto nito. Sa pagbubukas ng bahaging ito ng TPLEX hanggang Paniqui, 30 minuto na lang ang dating isang oras at sampung minutong biyahe mula sa Tarlac City, at iyon po’y kung walang traffic,” he added.
The 27-kilometer stretch from Paniqui to Moncada in Tarlac, then from Carmen to Pangasinan, is currently under construction and is expected to be completed as early as April next year. The remaining 25.83-kilometer section from Urdaneta City to Rosario, La Union, is expected to be finished by 2015.
President Aquino said that once the Section 1 of TPLEX is completed next year, travel time from Tarlac City to Rosales, Pangasinan, will only take 30 minutes. The entire length of TPLEX, on the other hand, will reduce travel time from Tarlac to La Union to only one hour.
“Talagang biyaya po ito sa humigit-kumulang 20,000 mga biyaherong maseserbisyuhan nito kada araw. At sa pagbilis ng transportasyon dito sa Tarlac, lalong papaspas ang turismo, komersyo, at mga serbisyo sa ating bayan at sa mga karatig-probinsya. Ang resulta: paglago ng ating lokal na ekonomiya na magbubukas ng maraming pinto ng pagkakataon para sa ating mga kababayan,” he said. PND (co) |
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| President Aquino congratulates Fil-Canadian Miss International during courtesy call |
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After wishing her good luck earlier this month in Japan, President Benigno S. Aquino III on Monday congratulated newly crowned Miss International Bea Rose Santiago when she paid a courtesy call at Malacañan Palace.
Santiago arrived at the Palace Music Room with Stella Marquez-Araneta and Cecille Marvilla.
"Congratulations!" President Aquino told her as he shook her hand.
Last Dec. 12, the President had wished her good luck in the pageant when he visited Tokyo for the ASEAN Japan Commemorative Summit.
The President at the time met with the Filipino community in Japan.
Santiago topped the contest last Dec. 17, five days after she met with the President Aquino during his meeting with the Filipino Community in Tokyo.
She returned to the Philippines last weekend.
Before meeting with the President at the Palace, Santiago gamely accommodated requests by employees to have her photo taken with them. PND (jl) |
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Christmas Message of
SECRETARY SONNY COLOMA
25 December 2013 |
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| As we celebrate the birth of our Dear Lord Jesus Christ, let us thank
Him:
For filling up our lives with Love, Compassion, Hope and Faith that enable us to hurdle the manifold challenges that we face daily in serving our country.
For enabling us to remain steadfast and determined as we abide by our commitment to pursue the right path and promote good governance.
For enlightening us to share our gifts and talents with our fellow Filipinos, particularly those that are most needy.
A grace filled Christmas and a beneficial New Year to all of us.
(Sgd.) SONNY COLOMA
Secretary |
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Fireworks Factories Warned Against Hiring Children |
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| The Inter-Agency Council Against Trafficking (IACAT) issued a stern warning against firecracker factories using children as workers in their operations, stating that the operators and handlers of these shops will be dealt with the full force of the law.
IACAT also urged local government units, down to the barangay level, to adopt measures to make sure that no children will be exploited as laborers in the hazardous manufacturing of firecrackers, which poses grave danger from accidents and also exposes workers to health problems.
Justice Secretary Leila M. De Lima, Chairperson of IACAT, emphasized the role of the local government units in monitoring these incidents of child labor especially in small shed operations that springs up in bunches when the holiday season approaches.
According to a recent report of the International Labor Organization (ILO), one hundred sixty eight million (168M) children aged 5-17 years were involved in child labor as of 2012. This is about one-tenth of the total child population in the world. Out of that figure, 85.3 million children (55M for boys while 30.3M for girls) are subjected to hazardous work.
Hazardous work is defined as any activity or occupation that, by its nature or type, has or leads to adverse effects on the child's safety, health and moral development. It is a subcategory of child labor.
"Everyone must understand that the young children subjected to the manufacturing of these pyrotechnics are not aware of the risks that they are being exposed to, and their parents who allow or even push them to work do not know any better," De Lima said.
There have been explosions in fireworks factories as early as April this year, leaving one dead and two injured.
"It is the responsibility of the government, both national and local, to protect our youth from this danger of being exposed to hazardous child labor," De Lima added. |
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Pres. Aquino and DSWD Sec. Soliman award Certificates of Occupancy to ‘Yolanda’-affected families in Palo, Leyte |
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| Glenda Divino, 34, a mother of six children and a Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program beneficiary of Brgy. Baras, Palo, Leyte receives her Certificate of Occupancy from President Benigno Simeon C. Aquino III, witnessed by Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD) Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman and local officials of Leyte Province. Divino’s family is among the 48 families to occupy the two completed bunk houses constructed by the Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) in Candahug, Palo, Leyte |
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PHL Embassies in Damascus and Beirut, IOM Repatriate 22 Filipinos from Syria |
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| 23 December 2013 - The Philippine Embassies in Damascus, Syria and Beirut, Lebanon with the support of the International Organization for Migration (IOM) once again facilitated the successful repatriation to the Philippines of another batch of 22 Filipinos from Syria on December 20. The International Organization for Migration (IOM) again provided the airfare, land transportation and meals of this batch of repatriates.
Two teams from the Philippine Embassy assisted in the repatriation of this batch of Filipinos repatriates. The first team composed of Vice Consul Dennis John Briones and Assistance to Nationals (ATN) officer Dexter Macaraeg assisted the group in the morning of December 18 at the Masna’a border. With the assistance of the IOM, Vice Consul Briones and ATN officer Macaraeg received the 22 Filipinos from the team from the Embassy in Damascus. After being processed at the General Security (immigration) in Masna’a, the 22 Filipinos were escorted directly to the Embassy where they stayed overnight. Four Embassy personnel namely: Cultural Officer Gladys Perey, Finance Officer Dorotea Apostol, Consular Staff Melissa Mancenido and Migrant Workers and Overseas Filipinos Resource Center Houseparent Gina Murillo took turns taking care of the repatriates during their stay in the Embassy.
Another Embassy team composed of Vice Consul Rona Beth Goce and ATN/Legal officer Junaid Ali brought the repatriates to and assisted them at the Rafik Hariri International Airport where they took their flight out of Beirut. At exactly 4:30 p.m., the repatriates left Beirut for Abu Dhabi where they would be taking their flight to Manila. The group was scheduled to arrive in Manila on December 20 at 03:15 p.m. via Etihad Airways flight EY 424.
This was the 42nd cross-border operation undertaken by the two Embassies. The departure of this group of 22 Filipinos brought the total number of Filipinos repatriated from Syria to 2,064 via the Rafik Hariri International Airport in Beirut since the first cross-border operations on December 12. |
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32ND UNICEF Gala in Germany Donates Proceeds to Help Typhoon Victims in the Philippines |
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| 23 December 2013 - Forty-four artists from sixteen different countries gathered at the 32nd UNICEF Gala Concert Night on December 7 at Hilden, Germany. The beneficiary for this year’s gala event is the Philippines.
In her speech, Ambassador Maria Cleofe R. Natividad commended UNICEF, Commerzbank - the Gala’s main sponsor, and Hilden Mayor Horst Thiele for their noble efforts in organizing the evening’s musical treat. The Ambassador expressed the Philippine government’s appreciation to UNICEF for its immediate launching of an emergency response to help the five million children affected by Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan).
She also noted with pride that a Filipino singer, Stephanie Reese, had been invited to perform at this world-class concert. Soon after the Ambassador gave her speech, Ms. Stephanie Reese gave a powerful vocal rendition of the song “Bayan Ko,” accompanied by French Filipino pianist, John Florencio. The concert, which lasted five hours, continued to captivate and awe the audience with hits from Broadway, opera and jazz classics, with a standing ovation after each performance.
The musical treat was capped off with a mini- Christmas concert with all the evening’s artists gathering on stage and performing an unforgettable group performance.
In the aftermath of Typhoon Yolanda (Haiyan), the UNICEF Committee, along with Commerzbank made the Philippines the beneficiary of the Evening Gala’s proceeds. |
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| The Monetary Board (MB) issued new guidelines liberalizing the issuance of Long-Term Negotiable Certificates of Time Deposits (LTNCTDs).
LTNCTDs are peso-denominated deposit instruments with a tenor of at least five years. Since LTNCTDs have a fixed minimum tenor of five years, issuance of LTNCTDs effectively “lengthen” the maturity profile of funds sourced by banks. Such longer-term funds can be used to better match against their long-term loan exposures. All LTNCTD issuances are subject to MB approval.
To the public, LTNCTDs behave like a fixed-term investment issued by a private entity. The instrument can be traded between one holder to another but the principal itself cannot be withdrawn prior to its maturity.
Prior to the liberalization, LTNCTD offerings were limited to Php 5 billion per issue, while total outstanding LTNCTDs were capped at 300 percent of an issuing bank’s capital.
Lengthening the maturity profile of deposits has long been a challenge since the majority of deposits in Philippines are in the form of savings deposits which can be withdrawn by depositors as needed. By default, then, banks have to finance their term loans with funds whose maturity profile is substantially shorter. This creates a mismatch in the tenor of assets versus liabilities and banks address this by often having the interest rate on long-term loans reset annually.
BSP Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. noted that “the gains of having more long-term deposits should ultimately accrue to the borrowing public.” He pointed out that “having less of the tenor mismatch reduces systemic risk and that is itself already a gain.” He added though that with more long-term deposits, the risk borne by borrowers through annual repricing of their obligation is reduced while banks also face less of a refinancing risk.
The lifting of LTNCTD limits comes with further refinements that promote issuer accountability. Under the new guidelines, the MB raised the reserve requirement for these deposit instruments from three to six percent of outstanding LTNCTDs.
Likewise, any portion of an approved LTNCTD that is not issued within six months of its approval will be forfeited. This ensures that banks will structure an LTNCTD issue size which they believe they can sell within the six month period.
The new rule also requires the listing of LTNCTDs on an accredited exchange. This is consistent with the fact that an LTNCTD has investment-like features and can be traded in the market before its date of maturity. With this requirement, the new guideline is aligned with global best practice on marketable securities by enhancing transparency, instilling price discovery and ultimately providing investor protection.
The new rule on LTNCTDs reflects the nexus between banking reform and capital market development. Having banks with stronger balance sheets operate in a well-functioning capital market can only boost financial stability, which is a key policy objective of the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas. |
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End-of-Year Statement of the GPH Panel in Talks with the MILF |
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| The year 2013 is the year we came to terms with what are possible and doable to get to the first, elected Bangsamoro government in 2016. In February, we signed the first annex that elaborated our road map. This was the Annex on Transitional Arrangements and Modalities.
Sajahatra Bangsamoro, the first socio-economic program of its kind providing basic social benefits to previously unreached members of conflict-affected areas, came next. For the first time, the incumbent President and his Cabinet entered the MILF camp, where the launching ceremony was festively held before leaders and members of the MILF and international dignitaries.
A somewhat prolonged period, during which the May 2013 election was eventually held, may have doused hopes of a comprehensive, negotiated settlement. But come July, the Annex on Wealthsharing was signed and greeted by the public with general approval.
Early this month, the third big hurdle since the signing of the Framework Agreement on the Bangsamoro in October 2012 was finally overcome. We inked our signatures on the Annex on Powersharing. This Annex provides the foundation for the meaningful autonomy envisioned for the Bangsamoro political entity and its constituents. It defines the new structure of government and lists the various modes powers will be shared between the Central Government and the Bangsamoro.
In all, our efforts at the negotiating table sought to find the good balance between what is just, practical and constitutional for this moment in our peoples’ history, and those other, higher aspirations that may find fruition and wider acceptability in some later future but not now. All the time, we based our work on the shared principles of mutual respect, devolution, inclusivity, harmony and good governance. These principles are the essence of the Annexes we have signed.
We expectedly faced many challenges from those who chose to continue the path of violence, the skeptics who have seen earlier similar processes fall back on expectations, and the disgruntled who feel they would lose privileges they have long enjoyed. To all of them, we extend the hand of peace and open ourselves to dialogue and continuous engagement in the hope that we will find fair reconciliation.
This year, we recorded scores of harassments initiated by the Bangsamoro Islamic Freedom Fighters against military outposts and personnel in Central Mindanao and Basilan. Big and small bombs were set off in different parts of Mindanao, among the most serious of which took place in Cagayan de Oro in July, and in Cotabato City in August. In September, Zamboanga reeled from the attacks by forces loyal to MNLF leader Nur Misuari. We grieved with all the victims of these atrocities and condemned the senseless violence. And we will continue to do so until once and for all, we take the guns away from our political life.
Catastrophes, whether self-inflicted or by force majeure, have thankfully not broken the Filipinos’ spirit. They have strengthened and united us towards the common purpose of rebuilding lives and reconstructing communities affected by such mix-match of tragedies.
By early next year, we aim to finalize the remaining Annex on Normalization, as well as an addendum on the Bangsamoro waters. The Annex on Normalization will concretize our vision for a post-conflict Bangsamoro. For this purpose, we shall be putting in place the new infrastructure that would pull together all our efforts in the security, socio-economic and transitional justice aspects.
In 2014, we will also be working closely with the Transition Commission and Congress to ensure the smooth passage of the Bangsamoro Basic Law.
All of the accomplishments in the GPH-MILF peace process were made possible through the collective efforts, trust, and goodwill of both Parties, our respective principals, and the unwavering support of various sectors to push the process forward. We wish them all a blessed holiday.
Christmas is indeed a season to be grateful for all the trials that were overcome. Truly, the new year is the harbinger of hope that infuses us with renewed vigor and optimism for the desired future that has yet to come. |
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| Christmas signifies peace, hope, joy, prosperity and the promise of new life. The message of Christmas has become more urgent for our people--after the series of calamities in 2013 that tested the strength and resilience of the Filipino spirit.
We are one with our fellow countrymen and women in the belief that better days are ahead, and we join in the call for peace throughout the country, a peace that will allow everyone—rebels and non-rebels alike—to celebrate the holidays free from fear and uncertainty.
Many Filipinos have risen to the challenge of providing meaningful help to fellow citizens who have been hit by killer storms, a killer earthquake and a three-week armed siege on a southern city. We challenge those who carry arms in the name of the people to become instruments of peace in this Advent season.
We call on the Communist Party of the Philippines to be faithful to the spirit and letter of the ceasefire that they have declared and to respect the prolonged ceasefire declared by our Government. As well, we echo the public clamor for a just and lasting peace.
We need peace to nourish and live with diversity; we need peace to be able to imagine a better future; we need peace to turn our people's hopes into reality. In this season of Christmas, let us seek to end meaningless and destructive violence and commence the healing and rehabilitation of our land and our people.
May everyone enjoy the holidays in peace, and a fruitful New Year to us all! |
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| Manila--The Department of Education (DepEd) and the Philippine Gaming Amusement and Gaming Corporation (PAGCOR) ink memorandum of agreement for the PHP 2 billion financial aid for the construction of new classrooms in places that were hardest hit by Super Typhoon Yolanda.
“The 2 billion funding from the PAGCOR will be allocated for the classroom construction in areas hit by Typhoon Yolanda. If we are to look at it, our budget for more than 4,500 classrooms that need replacement is around 4 billion. So, this is already around half of the needed budget for the replacement of those other classrooms,” Secretary Br. Armin Luistro said.
PAGCOR Chairman & CEO Cristino Naguiat, Jr. said that education is PAGCOR’s advocacy.
Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation Secretary Panfilo Lacson said that there is no better time to show the Filipino bayanihan spirit than during a crisis like this.
“Our target is to fast track the construction of classroom buildings before the opening of classes in June, at least the one-story buildings that need to be replaced are already in place for the coming school year,” the education chief said.
Integrity of the school building ensured
The education chief emphasized the directive of the President in. He said, “Even before Yolanda and the earthquake in Bohol, the cabinet has been discussing the integrity of school buildings.”
He said that the classroom buildings that will be built in 2014 should be able to withstand earthquakes with intensity 9 and typhoons with wind velocity of 250kph.
“We are putting up structures where our students will be able to be in an ideal learning environment. It’s not any ordinary building, it’s about ensuring that these spaces will allow young people to flourish, learn in whatever school situation they find themselves,” Luistro said. |
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TESDA churns out 860,000 certified specialistas in 2013 |
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| The country produced around 860,000 technical vocational (tech-voc) graduates who are now holders of National Certificates, exceeding its target for the year.
"These are graduates who passed the assessment and are now certified TESDA specialistas. A number of them, in fact, are already employed, especially those who have finished their courses earlier," Secretary Joel Villanueva, director general of Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA), the country’s prime agency for managing tech-voc courses.
Villanueva said the specialistas are TESDA's contribution in building the country’s workforce with competencies that are attuned to the demand of the nation’s growing the economy.
The 859,889 certified specialistas, which were recorded from January to November 2013, exceeded TESDA's target of 850,00. In 2012, a total of 803,350 graduates were certified.
For the same 11-month period, the agency reported a total of 1.61 million enrollees and 1.44 graduates in various tech-voc courses. These figures will increase further once the December reports from the regional offices reach the central headquarters.
Under the Training for Work Scholarship Program (TWSP) and the Private Education Student Financial Assistance (PESFA) Program, 96,236 students have completed their training programs with subsidy from the government. The financial support covers the training fee as well as the competency assessment fee.
The TWSP provides immediate interventions to fill in the requirements for highly critical and in-demand skills. PESFA, on the other hand, aims to provide skills to poor but deserving high school students and help them become employable.
This year, the agency likewise focused on enhancing the capability of tech-voc trainers across the country. Some 5,413 trainers underwent training in training methodology to improve their teaching techniques to deliver quality programs.
With funding from the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), the governments of Korea and the Philippines established the Human Resource Development Center. The center is intended to offer training in higher technology to Filipino trainers, particularly in animation, game development and mechatronics.
"With the high unemployment rate, particularly among our youth, the onus is on the government to ensure access to quality tech-voc through competent trainers and relevant programs," Villanueva said.
To ensure the quality of its tech-voc provision, TESDA applied for ISO certification. The agency is now first national education agency to pass international quality standards. It is now ISO 9001:2008 certified for its key processes in program registration and assessment and certification.
Starting with the first batch of three Regional Offices and Executive Offices in 2012, TESDA expanded in 2013 the coverage to five more regions and three more processes, including the development of Training Regulations, the agency’s training standards that set the minimum requirements to be complied by institutions desiring to offer tech-voc programs.
The agency’s central office and more than 50 percent of its regional and provincial offices are now ISO certified.
“As of the moment, all our remaining regional and provincial offices are gearing up and preparing for their certification in 2014,” Villanueva said. As a strategy, he said, they tap the certified regions to assist and nurture the others in preparing for their ISO journey.
As part of the agency’s quality assurance, its regional and provincial offices regularly conduct compliance audit of registered programs. As of end of November, a total of 5,120 registered programs were audited to ensure their compliance to the prescribed standards set by the agency.
To make tech-voc accessible anytime and anywhere, TESDA’s Online Programs have spread quickly across cyberspace. Launched on May 14, 2012, the online programs have generated 149,925 users and 4,968,911 views as of December 22, 2013. New courses were added in the roster of courses now being offered. These include computer hardware servicing, room attendant servicing, guest room attendant servicing, cellphone servicing, bus boy servicing, game programming NC III, waiter servicing, valet servicing and fruit grower.
For its Apprenticeship and Learnership Programs, 58,579 apprentices and learners were given the opportunity to acquire some skills and gain work experience in companies participating in these programs.
To increase access of the poor and those residing in remote areas to training opportunities, TESDA has launched the mobile training programs. Through its own Mobile Bus and more than 50 Mobile Training providers, training programs are now being offered in these areas. The Mobile Bus offers programs in Computer Hardware Servicing NC II, Consumer Electronics NC II, Electrical Installation Maintenance NC II, Security Services NC II, Automotive Services and Community Disaster Preparedness.
Through the TESDA Specialista Technopreneurship Program, TESDA provides alternative job opportunities to TVET graduates. With the successful launch of the TSTP, different aggrupations have been organized consisting of TESDA Specialistas. They are now providing services to their respective barangay and communities as self-employed individuals. These aggrupations consist of the Food and Beverage Services, Welding Services, Caregiver Services, Computer Hardware Services, Appliance Repair Services, Building Repair and Maintenance Services, Beauty Care and Wellness Services and Auto/Vehicle Maintenance Services.
TESDA’s partnership with Coca Cola Bottlers Phils. Inc. focused on women retailers and was among the agency's unique programs towards women empowerment. The Sari-sari Store Training Access to Resources (STAR) project targets 100,000 women all over the country for training program designed up to 2020 as a way of providing opportunities to earn or increase the potentials of their current businesses. Women sari-sari store owners are provided training on accounting, managing their businesses and were given merchandise support to prop their business.
Since the program started in 2012, it has benefitted 8,227 sari-sari store owners. A total of 10,000 is targeted to be assisted in 2013-1014 in eight regions covering 14 provinces. Close to P29 million has been allocated for this.
Aiming to demonstrate the competencies of the best tech-voc graduates and skilled workers, the TESDA regional and provincial offices held skills competition to select the winners who will compete at the national finals, and at the ASEAN Skills Competition. The winners did not only receive cash prizes, but got a chance to engage in intensive training to further hone their craft and make them ready for the higher level competition.
Last year, TESDA fielded a team of competitors and trade experts to the biennial ASEAN Skills Competition (ASC) in Jakarta. Team Philippines was not in competition status in the last three ASC competitions starting 2006.
Pristine Joyce de Guzman of Pasay City, the lone medal winner in the Philippine team, won a bronze in Fashion Technology. As the best performing competitor in the team, Pristine also won the Best of Nation Award.
In October, TESDA held its second Tech-Voc Congress where experts discussed critical issues and the latest trends in tech-voc. During the congress, the Tatak TESDA Video Making Contest was launched. The contest aims to encourage successful tech-voc graduates to document their own success stories on video and be the role model among the youth and the unemployed.
TESDA continued to beef up its support to the graduates after finishing their courses through Job Bridging Program that links the certified specialistas to potential employers.
As of November 30, 2013, there are 1,806 functioning Blue Desks throughout the country that have assisted 462,354 tech-voc graduates in their search for employment opportunities. Of this, a total of 274,573 Blue Desk clients landed in jobs.
“We do not stop after training and certifying our graduates. We provide them with post-training assistance through the Jobs Bridging Program to help them get employed at the shortest time as possible,” Villanueva added.
TESDA is also taking steps to train its own people. With assistance from the Temasek Foundation and ITE Education Services of Singapore, selected regional and provincial directors of the agency underwent leadership training here in the Philippines and in Singapore. Other training programs offered focused on quality management system, coaching and mentoring, effective communication, leadership, good governance, and effective speaking and writing.
TESDA is also in the midst of giving assistance to survivors of calamities by conducting skills training in affected areas and evacuation centers. The training programs in typhoon Yolanda-hit provinces of Leyte and Samar for instance, have not only helped provide job and livelihood opportunities to the survivors, but also gave them a morale booster to start anew.
Working together with My Shelter Foundation, TESDA offered its trainees and volunteers to help produce solar night lights using available raw materials such as empty soda bottle. The solar lights were distributed to communities destroyed by the typhoon, and several more units are bound for the country's poorest municipalities. |
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US envoy takes a peek at solar light production |
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| New US Ambassador to the Philippines Philip Goldberg saw the Filipino talent and ingenuity at work when he visited Technical Education and Skills Development Authority (TESDA) central headquarters during a training program on the assembly of solar night lights. These solar night lights are being distributed to typhoon survivors.
At the electronics laboratory of the TESDA in Taguig City, Goldberg mingled with the volunteers, trainers and trainees who assembled the solar lights from kits provided by the US Government thru My Shelter Foundation.
The American envoy's visit coincided with the International Exchange Alumni Volunteers’ Day organized by the US Embassy to recognize its alumni-volunteers who devoted their time and effort to produce solar night lights for the Yolanda victims with the help from the TESDA trainers from the regions nationwide who serve as their coaches. The trainers are undergoing training in the assembly of solar powered devices including innovation of solar products at the TESDA Central Office.
TESDA has distributed hundreds of units of the solar lights in provinces in the Visayas hit hard by typhoon Yolanda, including Leyte, Samar and Negros. This was TESDA’s way of helping ease the condition of the typhoon survivors. A number of households remain without electricity since the November 8 calamity.
Atty. Teodoro C. Pascua, Deputy Director General for Field Operations, thanked Goldberg for his visit, saying this boosted the morale of the volunteers, trainers and trainees.
"With the international community behind us, who would not say that the typhoon affected areas will bounce back,” Pascua said.
Yolanda left 6,000 people dead, close to 30,000 injured, and more than four million homeless.
The government has begun crafting a master plan for relief, reconstruction and rehabilitation, which would entail over P100 billion in funds.
Goldberg, who replaced Harry Thomas Jr. as Washington's top diplomat in the country, hit the ground running following his arrival in Manila with visits to Leyte and Bohol, which was earlier struck by a 7.2-magnitude earthquake.
For the solar night light project, the US Embassy gave an initial funding of US$10,000 which was augmented by funds from TESDA.
The solar light has a solar-powered LED that uses locally available materials such as plastic bottles. The light uses solar energy to power the lamp that will illuminate the bottle at night.
TESDA and My Shelter Foundation will continue implementing training in the assembly of solar night lights as funding comes. Further, training on this assembly will be conducted in selected TESDA Technology Institutions nationwide and in the TESDA Centers in TESDA Complex, Taguig City, Metro Manila. |
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Ormoc City eyes rehab with DSWD’s support |
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| Ormoc City, Leyte – One month after Typhoon Yolanda hit this city, the local government is now looking forward to a better community as it plans to undertake recovery and rehabilitation programs with the support of the Department of Social Welfare and Development (DSWD).
“I propose for the complete clean up of the city. I want people in the squatters area to be transferred to proper resettlement sites as part of our strategic rehabilitation plan,” Mayor Edward Codilla stressed.
The local chief executive thanked President Benigno S. Aquino III, DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, Interior and Local Government Secretary Mar Roxas and the many people from government and private sector who “helped [them] during those critical times.”
“I also thank the local and international donors for augmenting our relief efforts and services,” he added.
On the reconstruction of infrastructure projects, Mayor Codilla suggested that all structures must be designed to withstand storms and strong winds.
“I propose that buildings’ windload capacity be increased to up to 500 kilometers per hour to protect people and their livelihood knowing Ormoc as prone to disasters,” the mayor said.
City Social Welfare and Development Officer, Marrietta Legaspi, said that Sec. Soliman has expressed support to the city’s rehabilitation plan.
“She has introduced us to focal persons in the central office who can assist us with our proposed permanent shelter project which is our first step towards rehabilitation,” Legaspi said.
She continues, “We are glad that people who will benefit from the permanent shelter project are not only the landless and people in the squatters area. We are also grateful that DSWD allows inclusion of residents who lost their houses and livelihood.”
“We are now fasttracking our records for the identification of those who are eligible to receive shelter assistance.”
Ormoc’s Journey to Recovery
In an interview with Gudi Ibcas, City Councilor and Chair of Operations of the City Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Office (CDRRMO), he said that during the first two weeks, delivering relief goods in the city was difficult due to impassable roads and highways.
“With the support of the Department of Labor and Employment (DOLE), we hired 30 laborers from each barangay to clean and clear the city,” he said.
Ibcas said that the laborers were provided with a P260/day cash allowance for 15 days.
He also mentioned that a German non-government organization also provided Cash-for-Work (CFW). The group hired 100 people with a daily salary of P200 to help clean up the city.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) also initiated another CFW. It hired 300 individuals at P260 per day.
For her part, Legazpi said, “The DSWD is one of our trusted partners.”
She cited that DSWD declared the city’s Superdome as a relief hub for Western Leyte.
“Nearby municipalities received relief services through fast and efficient management of the warehouse,” she added.
“We had smooth coordination with DSWD because we made the Department part of our CDRRMO regular meetings.”
She further stated that DSWD-Field Offices VII, XI, XII and CARAGA helped them in their relief operations.
Imelda Dadulla, Social Welfare Officer IV, recalled how the bayanihan spirit was demonstrated in the city.
“I remember the Philippine Airforce helping us reach Brgy. Liberty, Brgy. Hugpa and other remote sites,” she said.
“All throughout the relief operations, we managed to keep our District Social Welfare Office working 24/7. We had a system of submitting the list of disaster-affected families. [We were able to minitor] our 30 evacuation centers which were mostly schools and barangay halls. And we were able to have an accounting of our incoming donations and outgoing releases,” Dadulla said.
In this city alone, ‘Yolanda’ rendered 64,000 families homeless. |
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| Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas (BSP) Governor Amando M. Tetangco, Jr. reported that the country’s outstanding external debt approved/registered by the BSP stood at US$59.1 billion as of end-September 2013. The more than US$1.0 billion (or 1.8 percent) increase from the US$58.0 billion level in the second quarter was largely attributed to: (a) increase in non-residents’ investments in Philippine debt papers (US$509 million); (b) net availments (US$342 million); (c) positive foreign exchange (FX) revaluation adjustments (US$113 million); and (d) previous periods’ adjustments (US$81 million). On a year-on-year basis, however, the debt stock dropped by US$2.7 billion (or 4.3 percent) from the end-September 2012 level of US$61.7 billion due largely to the negative foreign exchange revaluation adjustments (US$3.6 billion).
External debt refers to all types of borrowings by Philippine residents from non-residents that are approved/registered by the BSP.
External Debt Ratios
“Major external debt indicators remained at prudent levels in the third quarter of 2013”, the Governor continued. Gross international reserves (GIR) stood at US$83.5 billion as of 30 September 2013 and represented 8.4 times the level of short-term (ST) debt under the original maturity concept and 6.5 times under the remaining maturity concept. The ratio under the remaining maturity concept is much higher than the international benchmark of 1.0. [ST accounts under the remaining maturity concept consist of obligations with original maturities of one (1) year or less, plus amortizations on medium and long-term accounts falling due within the next 12 months, i.e., from October 2013 to September 2014.]
The external debt ratio (a solvency indicator) or total outstanding debt (EDT) expressed as a percentage of annual aggregate output (GNI) slightly increased to 18.4 percent from the 18.3 percent in the previous quarter; but a substantial improvement was noted in the ratio if compared with the 21.4 percent level a year ago. The same trend is observed when using GDP as denominator. During the third quarter, the economy grew by 7.0 percent, a little lower than the 7.5 percent growth posted in June 2013; nonetheless, this is the fifth consecutive quarter that growth is at least 7.0 percent.
The external debt service ratio (DSR), or the ratio of total principal and interest payments relative to total exports of goods and receipts from services and income (XGSI), remained at 7.6 percent in the third quarter but a substantial improvement in the ratio was noted from the 8.3 percent level a year ago. The ratio, which measures sufficiency of foreign exchange available to meet currently maturing obligations, has remained well below the 20.0 to 25.0 percent international benchmark, attesting to the country’s strong liquidity position.
Debt Profile
The debt portfolio remained heavily leaning towards medium- to long-term (MLT) maturities, accounting for 83.2 percent of total outstanding external liabilities. These are scheduled to be paid over a longer time horizon, translating to more manageable levels of foreign exchange requirements for loan servicing.
The weighted average maturity for all MLT accounts stood at 20.1 years with public sector borrowings having a longer average tenor of 22.1 years compared to 9.8 years for the private sector.
Short-term external debt accounted for the 16.8 percent balance of debt stock, and consisted largely of trade credits and bank borrowings.
Total public sector debt totaled US$42.2 billion as of end-September 2013, higher than the US$42.0 billion level in the previous quarter due to increase in non-resident investments in Philippine debt papers as well as upward foreign exchange revaluation adjustments. Private sector debt likewise grew from US$16.1 billion to US$16.9 billion due to net availments.
The creditor profile was largely unchanged: official creditors (consisting of multilateral and bilateral creditors) continued to have the largest exposure at 38.0 percent of total debt, followed by foreign holders of bonds/notes at 36.7 percent, and foreign banks and other financial institutions at 17.9 percent. The rest of the creditors pertained mostly to foreign suppliers/exporters.
In terms of currency mix, the country’s foreign debt was essentially unchanged, with U.S. dollar-denominated accounts comprising 51.2 percent, followed by the Japanese Yen – 20.2 percent, multi-currency loans from the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank - 12.0 percent, and 18 other currencies – 16.6 percent. |
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More than 1.7 million disadvantaged Filipinos hired under DOLE-monitored CBEP |
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| Labor and Employment Secretary Rosalinda Dimapilis-Baldoz yesterday said the convergent Community-Based Employment Program (CBEP), which the DOLE is tasked to monitor, had benefited 1,717,207 disadvantaged persons, including disaster victims, across the country's 17 regions in terms of short-term jobs as of 10 December 2013.
"This is an initial rounded-up figure. More data on CBEP jobs generated during the year are expected from the government agencies under the program, so the final 2013 figure will be higher. We hope to surpass the 2,324,311 actual jobs generated under the CBEP in 2012," said Baldoz.
As of 10 December 2013, the 1,717,207 CBEP-based infrastructure and non-infrastructure jobs generated jointly by government agencies are enumerated as follows: Department of Agrarian Reform (6,838); Department of Environment and Natural Resources (43,896); Department of Labor and Employment (212,388); Department of Public Works and Highways (144,216); Department of Social Welfare and Development (204,987); Department of Tourism (347); Department of Trade and Industry (1,466); Department of Transportation and Communication (1,044); Clark Development Corporation (402); Commission on Filipinos Overseas (103); and National Housing Authority (1,101,492).
Other agencies expected to report more CBEP jobs generated are the Departments of Agriculture; Education; Tourism; Foreign Affairs; Energy; and Health; People’s Credit and Finance Corporation; Intramuros Administration; Philippine Enterprise Zone Authority; Light Rail Transit Authority; Office Transportation Security; Philippine National Railways; Philippine Ports Authority; Commission on Filipinos Overseas; Landbank of the Philippines; Metropolitan Manila Development Authority; and National Youth Commission.
The preliminary 1,717,207 jobs generated as of 10 December 2013 consist of (a) 75.2 percent or 1,290,814 infrastructure jobs; and (b) 24.8 percent or 426,393 non-infrastructure jobs. The regional CBEP breakdown is as follows:
National Capital Region (NCR), 25,630 jobs generated (5,190 infrastructure, and 20,440 non-infrastructure); Cordillera Administrative Region (CAR), 24,283 (6,328 infrastructure, 17,955 non-infrastructure); Region I, 83,112 (67,354 infrastructure, 15,758 non-infrastructure); Region II, 69,569 (53,248 infrastructure, 16,321 non-infrastructure); Region III, 453,982 (418,010 infrastructure, 35,972 non-infrastructure); Region IV-A, 335,656 (308,704 infrastructure, 26,952 non-infrastructure); Region IV-B, 29,878 (7,868 infrastructure, 22,010 non-infrastructure); Region V, 62,545 (40,120 infrastructure, 22,425 non-infrastructure);
Region VI, 102,165 (80,762 infrastructure, 21,403 non-infrastructure); Region VII, 58,054 (18,878 infrastructure, 39,176 non-infrastructure); Region VIII, 42,009 (26,471 infrastructure, 15,538 non-infrastructure); Region IX, 108,633 (77,152 infrastructure, 31,481 non-infrastructure); Region X,117,514 (55,922 infrastructure, 61,592 non-infrastructure); Region XI, 66,555 (51,274 infrastructure, 15,281 non-infrastructure); Region XII, 41,385 (25,235 infrastructure, 16,150 non-infrastructure); CARAGA, 64,317 (16,667 infrastructure, 47,650 non-infrastructure); and ARMM, 31,073 (all infrastructure jobs).
The DOLE as chairman of the CBEP Steering Committee leads in coordinating and monitoring jobs generated by various agencies with enrolled infrastructure and non-infrastructure projects under CBEP through the CBEP Online Monitoring and Reporting System.
"The convergent, inter-agency Community-Based Employment Program is an effective avenue by which all major agencies of the Philippine government could respond, and in effect, help disadvantaged people stand back on their own feet," said Baldoz.
Begun in 2011, the CBEP is a priority convergence programs aimed to contribute to the national goal of inclusive growth, poverty reduction, and job creation, particularly in the countryside, or the local community.
The CBEP is consistent with the overarching goal enunciated by President Benigno S. Aquino III, in his 22-point labor and employment agenda, to “invest in our country’s top resource, our human resource, to make us more competitive and employable while promoting industrial peace based on social justice,” by working “with relevant government agencies in enhancing social protection programs . . . while strengthening the Emergency Community Employment Program (ECEP) to create jobs immediately so people can still have income to spend for their basic needs.”
The CBEP has three components, namely: (a) Infrastructure projects that generate jobs through the construction of roads, bridges, flood control structures, school buildings, and water systems; (b) non-infrastructure projects covering social infrastructure like reforestation, coastal resource management, livelihood and self-employment undertakings/projects; and (c) emergency employment projects or income support endeavors that create short-term wage employment or self-employment in distressed/remote areas, especially those affected by calamities/contingencies. |
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| Bulacan 4th District Representative Linabelle Ruth R. Villarica and Department of Public Works and Highways (DPWH) Second Bulacan District Engineer Ramiro M. Cruz led the ceremonial ribbon cutting formally opening to vehicular traffic the new Pulong Buhangin Bridge along Sta. Maria-Norzagaray Road in Sta. Maria, Bulacan. Construction of new Pulong Buhangin Bridge is the second replacement bridge project after the Sta Maria Bridge 3 along Sta. Maria By-Pass Road completed by the DPWH Second Bulacan District Engineering Office in the town of Sta. Maria, Bulacan for CY 2013 in line with the safer national roads and bridges program policy of DPWH Secretary Rogeio L. Singson. Others in photo includes Assistant District Engineer Gene Leaño, Project Engineer Armando R. Juan, and other local government officials. |
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| The Civil Service Commission (CSC) received its third Governance Trailblazer Award for its exceptional performance towards good governance through the Performance Governance System (PGS).
CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III presented the Commission’s accomplishments, milestones, and breakthroughs in a public revalida for its Proficiency in the PGS and garnered a score of 8.81 over 10.
The Governance Trailblazer Award is conferred to government agencies or units that garner a score of 8.5 to 9.2 in the public revalida or performance report.
CSC received its first Silver Trailblazer Award in October 2011 when it aced the public revalida for the Compliance stage, garnering a high score of 9.03 over 10. The second Silver Trailblazer Award was conferred in March 2013 for CSC’s high performance report rating in the Public Governance Forum.
The Commission began its governance journey in 2010 when it adopted the PGS, a local adaptation of Norton and Kaplan’s revolutionary Balanced Scorecard system as advocated by the Institute for Solidarity in Asia (ISA).
There are four stages in the PGS governance pathway, namely, Initiation, Compliance, Proficiency, and Institutionalization. The PGS translates the organization’s vision into strategies through scorecards cascaded to the different levels of the organization.
“CSC is firm in executing the strategies which direct all systems, processes, and programs to attain the targets and performance commitments indicated in its enterprise scorecard,” said CSC Chairman Francisco T. Duque III.
“The results of the public presentation of the CSC’s performance gains were impressive that the examining panel decided to confer the Silver Trailblazer Award. This is a significant accomplishment and I wish to congratulate you for it,” noted ISA Chairman Jesus P. Estanislao.
The CSC is geared towards completing the fourth and final stage of the PGS, Institutionalization, in 2014. |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with outgoing People’s Republic of China Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing during her Farewell Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (December 23). In photo are Chinese Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission Sun Xiangyang and Political Counsellor Wu Zhengping. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III greets outgoing People’s Republic of China Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing during her Farewell Call at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (December 23). (Photo by Rodolfo Manabat / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III greets Chinese Embassy in the Philippines Deputy Chief of Mission Sun Xiangyang during the Farewell Call of outgoing People’s Republic of China Ambassador to the Philippines Ma Keqing at the Music Room of the Malacañan Palace on Monday (December 23). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III poses with Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago and Binibining Pilipinas Charities, Inc. chairperson Madame Stella Marquez-Araneta for a photo souvenir during the courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañang Palace on Monday (December 23). She was crowned during the 53rd edition of the pageant held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan on December 17, 2013. It is the 5th Miss International crown for the Philippines. Stella Marquez-Araneta was the first Miss International in 1960. (Photo by Rodolfo Manabat / Malacañang Photo Bureau / PCOO) |
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| |  | | Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago took a selfie with President Benigno S. Aquino III during her courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañang Palace on Monday (December 23). She was crowned during the 53rd edition of the pageant held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan on December 17. It is the 5th Miss International crown for the Philippines. Santiago bested 66 candidates from countries around the globe. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago poses during her courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañang Palace on Monday (December 23). She was crowned during the 53rd edition of the pageant held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan on December 17, 2013. It is the 5th Miss International crown for the Philippines. Santiago bested 66 candidates from countries around the globe. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III congratulates Miss International 2013 Bea Santiago during her courtesy call at the Music Room of the Malacañang Palace on Monday (December 23). She was crowned during the 53rd edition of the pageant held at the Shinagawa Prince Hotel Hall in Tokyo, Japan on December 17. It is the 5th Miss International crown for the Philippines. Santiago bested 66 candidates from countries around the globe. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Inauguration of the Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui Section of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La union Expressway Project at the Toll Operation center in Barangay San Pascual, Tarlac City, Tarlac on Monday (December 23). Once completed, it will cut travel time from Tarlac to La Union to only an hour. Also in photo are Tarlac 1st District Representative Enrique Cojuangco, Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, San Miguel Corporation president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang and Tarlac Governor Victor Yap. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Inauguration of the Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui Section of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La union Expressway Project at the Toll Operation center in Barangay San Pascual, Tarlac City, Tarlac on Monday (December 23). Once completed, it will cut travel time from Tarlac to La Union to only an hour. Also in photo is SMC president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang. (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III graces the Inauguration of the Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui Section of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La union Expressway Project at the Toll Operation center in Barangay San Pascual, Tarlac City, Tarlac on Monday (December 23). (Photo by Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his speech during the Inauguration of the Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui Section of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La union Expressway (TPLEX) Project at the Toll Operation center (TOC) in Barangay San Pascual, Tarlac City, Tarlac on Monday (December 23). Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III converses with San Miguel Corporation president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang during the Inauguration of the Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui Section of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La union Expressway (TPLEX) Project at the Toll Operation center (TOC) in Barangay San Pascual, Tarlac City, Tarlac on Monday (December 23). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III, assisted by Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, Tarlac 1st District Representative Enrique Cojuangco and SMC president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang, undrapes the project marker of the newly completed Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui Section of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La union Expressway (TPLEX) during the inauguration ceremony at the Toll Operation Center in Barangay San Pascual, Tarlac City on Monday (December 23). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III, accompanied by San Miguel Corporation president and chief executive officer Ramon Ang, Tarlac 1st District Representative Enrique Cojuangco and Public Works and Highways Secretary Rogelio Singson, leads the inaugural drive-through to formally open the Tarlac City-Gerona-Paniqui Section of the Tarlac-Pangasinan-La union Expressway (TPLEX) Project in Barangay Guiteb, Ramos, Tarlac on Monday (December 23). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Benhur Arcayan / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III delivers his message during the inspection of Bunkhouses for internally displaced persons at the Joachin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex in Zamboanga City on Sunday (December 22). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III presides over the briefing on Zamboanga City Roadmap to Recovery and Reconstruction ( at the Passengers Terminal of the 3rd Air Division, Edwin Andrews Air Base in Barangay Sta. Maria, Zamboanga City on Sunday (December 22) . Present in the briefing are Zamboanga City Mayor Ma. Isabelle Climaco-Salazar, Presidential Assistant for Rehabilitation and Recovery Panfilo Lacson, DSWD Secretary Corazon Juliano-Soliman, DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, Energy Secretary Carlos Jericho Petilla, Defense Secretary Voltaire Gazmin, Cabinet Secretary Jose Rene Almendras, National Housing Authority (NHA) General Manager Chito Cruz, and Habitat for Humanity chief executive officer and managing director Charlito Ayco. (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | President Benigno S. Aquino III inspects the bunkhouse units for internally displaced persons at the Joachin Enriquez Memorial Sports Complex in Zamboanga City on Sunday (December 22). (Photo by Gil Nartea / Malacañang Photo Bureau) |
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| |  | | (PALO, Leyte) President Benigno S.Aquino III addresses residents of Barangay Candahug here following the turnover of bunkhouse units to 48 families in 3 barangays Sunday (December 22). (Photo by Marcelino Pascua / PCOO) |
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| |  | | (PALO, Leyte) President Benigno S. Aquino III leads distribution of the certificates for occupancy of bunkhouse units to 48 families in 3 barangays here assisted by DSWD Secretary Dingky Soliman, Governor Dominic Petilla, Palo Mayor Remedios Petilla and DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson. (Photo by MARCELINO G.PASCUA) |
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| |  | | (PALO, Leyte) President Benigno S. Aquino III checks out bunkhouse units with DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson, Gov. Dominic Petilla and DSWD Secretary Dinky Soliman Sunday (December 22). (Photo by Marcelino Pascua / PCOO) |
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| |  | | (TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) President Benigno S.Aquino III waves to the residents before boarding vehicle after the inspection of bunkhouse units Sunday (December 22). (Photo by Marcelino Pascua / PCOO) |
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| |  | | (TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) President Benigno S. Aquino III with Rep. Ferdinand Martin Rumualdez (L), Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Governor Dominic Petilla (R) inspect bunkhouse units Sunday (December 22). (Photo by Marcelino Pascua / PCOO) |
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| |  | | (TACLOBAN CITY, Leyte) President Benigno S. Aquino III with Rep. Ferdinand Martin Rumualdez (L), Tacloban City Mayor Alfred Romualdez and Governor Dominic Petilla (R) inspect bunkhouse units Sunday (December 22). (Photo by Marcelino Pascua / PCOO) |
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